Special stage
A defined section of route where the crew's precision is measured (abbreviated SS).
The special stage, often abbreviated SS, is a defined section of route where the crew's precision is measured. At secret checks or passage controls it is recorded how accurately the target time was met. Any deviation – whether too early or too late – results in penalty points. A rally consists of several special stages, and in the end the crew with the fewest penalty points wins.
In many regulations the special stage is also referred to by the German term Sonderprüfung (SP); both then denote the same scored task.
Glossary from A to Z
Related terms
Pace notes
In stage (best-time) rallies, the crew's self-made notes on the route, gathered while slowly pre-driving a special stage. The co-driver reads them out during the stage – jokingly called the 'prayer book'.
Liaison stage
A section in stage rallies that runs on public roads from the start to a special stage or between two stages. Normal traffic rules apply and must be obeyed.
Odometer check
A short, measured section at the start of a TSD rally where the crew compares its odometer with the official distance (also odometer calibration run, OCR).