Special stage (rallying)

A race on a special stage is coordinated such that each competing racer begins after a set interval, to reduce the chance of impedance by other competitors.

Surfaces such as ice and snow or desert sand are also common, with the aim of providing a challenge for the driver and crew as well as a test of the car's performance and reliability.

While competing on a special stage, the drivers and co-drivers can have no support from their teams (except through radio/phone contact) and must deal with any breakdowns or problems themselves.

The driver may begin immediately at that time, and usually an official (using hand signals) and the co-driver (through speech) will provide a ten-second countdown.

Several hundred meters further along the stage is the stop control point, where the car must come to a halt in order for officials to record their time and check paperwork.