The FIA World Motor Sport Council has voted to remove the Prologue and Power Selective Section from World Rally-Raid Championship races in 2026. As explained by the federation on Wednesday, the change “streamlines the one-week W2RC rally-raid format for greater efficiency.”

Announced in June 2024, the Power SS was supposed to be optional for 2025 before becoming mandatory in 2026. It took inspiration from the Power Stage used in rallying, consisting of a short final timed section that awards bonus points. The fastest time would win three points, two points for second, and one for third.

The season-ending Rallye du Maroc was the only race in 2025 to use the Power SS, which consisted of a 33-kilometer course that was won by Nani Roma.

On the opposite end of the schedule, the Prologue set the starting order for Stage 1. Unlike in FIM, FIA Prologue times do not count in the overall.

In place of the Prologue will be a second day for testing and scrutineering. The first day will be reserved for non-points teams while W2RC crews get the latter. With no Prologue to determine the starting lineup for the first stage, the latter’s distance cannot be longer than 15% of the total race length.

Marathon rallies like the Dakar Rally, which lasts two weeks, will still have the Prologue.

Featured image credit: Julien Delfosse / DPPI / ASO