The Power Stage (abbreviated as PS) is a special stage that usually runs as the final stage of a rally in the World Rally Championship (WRC)[a] and European Rally Championship (ERC). Additional championship points are available to the fastest five crews through the stage regardless of where they actually finished in the rally.[2] Unlike normal special stages, which are timed to a tenth of a second, the timing of the Power Stage is to a thousandth of a second.[3]
Points scoring systems
editThe bonus scoring system was once used at the 1999 Tour de Corse and 1999 Rally Finland.[4][5] Re-introduced in 2011, the top three crews through the stage could score extra bonus points, with the fastest crew receiving three points, the second-fastest receiving two points, and the third-fastest receiving one point.[5] In 2017, the scoring system was amended so the five fastest drivers through the stage were awarded points from five for first to one for fifth.[6] Manufacturers, WRC-2 and WRC-3 categories were also eligible to score Power Stage points in 2021. From 2022, WRC-2 awarded Power Stage points from three for first place, to one for third place. However, it was axed from 2024 onwards.[7] Power Stage points are no longer awarded in WRC-3.
Power Stages were also introduced during the 2022 European Rally Championship, using the final stage of each rally and awarding points to the five fastest crews in a similar fashion to the WRC.[8][9]
| Seasons | Category | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999, 2011–2016 | WRC | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2017–present | WRC | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022–2023 | WRC-2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2022–present | ERC | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Cancelled Power Stages
editThis list does not include cancelled rallies.
| No. | Rally | Stage name | Reason | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Lantosque – Lucéram 2 | Increase in local traffic due to bad weather. | [10] | |
| 2. | El Brinco | The rally ended prematurely in response to increased travel restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. | [11] |
WRC Winners
edit| Bold | Drivers or co-drivers active in the World Rally Championship |
| World Rally Championship Drivers' or Co-Drivers' champions |
By drivers
editBy co-drivers
editMost wins per season
edit| Bold | Won the World Championship in the same year |
| Year | Driver(s) | Wins | Races |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 2 | 2[c] | |
| 2011 | 4 | 13 | |
| 2012 | 4 | 13 | |
| 2013 | 7 | 12[d] | |
| 2014 | 6 | 13 | |
| 2015 | 9 | 13 | |
| 2016 | 7 | 13 | |
| 2017 | 4 | 13 | |
| 2018 | 3 | 13 | |
| 2019 | 6 | 13 | |
| 2020 | 2 | 6[e] | |
| 2021 | 4 | 12 | |
| 2022 | 7 | 13 | |
| 2023 | 6 | 13 | |
| 2024 | 5 | 13 |
WRC Point scorers
edit| Bold | Drivers or co-drivers active in the World Rally Championship |
| World Rally Championship Drivers' or Co-Drivers' champions |
By drivers
editBy co-drivers
editMost points per season
edit| Bold | Won the World Championship in the same year |
| Year | Driver(s) | Points | Races |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 6 | 2[c] | |
| 2011 | 19 | 13 | |
| 2012 | 19 | 13 | |
| 2013 | 28 | 12[d] | |
| 2014 | 25 | 13 | |
| 2015 | 27 | 13 | |
| 2016 | 26 | 13 | |
| 2017 | 34 | 13 | |
| 2018 | 37 | 13 | |
| 2019 | 41 | 13 | |
| 2020 | 18 | 6[e] | |
| 2021 | 35 | 12 | |
| 2022 | 50 | 13 | |
| 2023 | 43 | 13 | |
| 2024 | 45 | 13 |
Gallery
edit-
The Col de Braus mountain pass, which was contested as the power stage of Monte Carlo Rally.
-
Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle driving a Citroën DS3 WRC at Vargåsen, which was the power stage of 2014 Rally Sweden.
-
Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia driving a Volkswagen Polo R WRC at Colin's Crest Arena during 2014 Rally Sweden.
-
-
The Ford Fiesta WRC of Elfyn Evans and Daniel Barritt jumping at the Rally de Portugal's iconic Fafe stage.
-
The Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC of Hayden Paddon and Sebastian Marshall during the power stage of 2018 Rally Italia Sardegna.
-
2018 Rally Finland winning crew Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja driving through the power stage in a Toyota Yaris WRC.
Notes
edit- ^ 2018 Wales Rally GB used fourth to last stage as the power stage.[1]
- ^ a b c d Statistics updated as of the 2024 Rally Japan.
- ^ a b 1999 consisted of 14 rallies, but Power Stage was only run on two.
- ^ a b 2013 consisted of 13 rallies, but Power Stage was cancelled in Monte Carlo.
- ^ a b 2020 consisted of seven rallies, but Power Stage was cancelled in Mexico.
References
edit- ^ "2018 Dayinsure Wales Rally GB" (PDF). walesrallygb.com. Wales Rally GB. 14 August 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ "World Motor Sport Council: 08 September 2010". fia.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 8 September 2010. Archived from the original on 11 September 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- ^ "Regulations". fia.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
- ^ "Season 1999". e-wrc.com. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
- ^ a b Beer, Matt (8 September 2010). "WRC adds bonus points for TV stages". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 11 September 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- ^ "2017 WRC dates confirmed". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
- ^ Barry, Luke (14 November 2023). "WRC2 Powerstage axed for 2024". dirtfish.com. DirtFish. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "What is ERC". ERC – European Rally Championship. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ^ "ERC 2022: What has changed?". Azoresrallye. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ^ Evans, David (19 January 2013). "Monte Carlo Rally: Loeb wins as final stages cancelled". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
- ^ Ramirez, Luis (14 March 2020). "WRC Rally Mexico to end early as more travel restrictions loom". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 15 March 2020.