Stilling almost wrote off his Datsun Stanza during an ACT rally-sprint event in September, with the 22-year-old returning to the Tidbinbilla Forest for the National Capital Rally this weekend.

He's competing in the two-wheeled drive (2 WD) ARC Cup with co-driver Larisa Biggar, having bought a Toyota Corolla formerly driven by Lewis Bates.

The course Stilling crashed on is used for this event but in a different direction, with the ARC debutant keen to start and bring his new car home in one piece.

"I pretty well overcame it straight away. I knew where I went wrong and just built on that from there," Stilling said.

"It's making sure I don't make the same mistake twice."

Stilling has had the Toyota Corolla for a week and tested it for the first time on Friday, saying he's feeling happy and a lot more confident in the driver's seat.

He's using the National Capital Rally as preparation for next year's ARC, with the Canberran looking to do the full series and compete for the junior title.

It's his second year competing in rally, having won the 2019 ACT novice NSW 2WD development series titles in his former rear-wheel drive car.

"I'm very excited [to make my ARC debut]. It's always been a dream as a kid but now it's actually happening, it's a bit surreal," Stilling said.

"I wasn't even planning on getting into it this year, but here we are. Neal [Bates] suggested that path, that I should fall into a front-wheel drive car and use this year as a test for 2021 because it's the same event.

"It's good there's no pressure this year to be the fastest - out there I can drive around, learn the car and what I need to do to go faster next year and be competitive. It's good like that."

His father and former ACT rally champion Trevor Stilling will be competing only minutes ahead in the Nissan Silvia, with co-driver Nigel Walters from Sydney.

Reigning champion Harry Bates will look to defend his title with John McCarthy in the Toyota Yaris 4WD.