But the Victorian hardly missed a beat in his first rally in 2½ years, zooming around the Canberra terrain to take the honours on an action-packed opening day of the National Capital Rally.

Pedder collected the maximum 40 points on offer in the first round of the Australian Rally Championship, finishing the four stages with an eight-second advantage over Eli Evans.

Great Britain's Elfyn Evans did not fare so well on the technical course, the highly rated son of former World Rally Championship driver Gwyndaf Evans crashing out on the second stage of the day.

Pedder had no such dramas as he erased the demons of 2010, when a massive collision during a rally in Adelaide threatened to force him into retirement.

In retrospect, Pedder admits he got off lightly with a broken right leg and left ankle, which ruled him out for at least 12 months.

''I was pretty lucky not to be more seriously hurt,'' Pedder said.

''It was the biggest crash I've had and one I was fortunate to have walked away from.

''Racing's something I've always loved, so it's great to be back.''

This is Pedder's sixth event in Canberra after finishing second overall in 2002 and 2003.

Last year he became the chief executive of the Australian Rally Championship and had not contemplated a return to driving until Renault came knocking.

''I wasn't even sure I'd drive again until Renault asked if I'd be keen,'' he said.

''I'm feeling pretty sore right now, but for the car to handle like it did was amazing.

''We've only had about four or five days of testing, but everything felt fantastic out there today.''

The National Capital Rally concludes on Sunday, with 40 points up for grabs for the elite drivers across seven stages.

Two stages on Saturday were cancelled due to the wet conditions.

Pedder built his victory on consistency, not finishing any lower than fourth in his Renault Clio.

He grabbed the overall lead with a blistering time in the second stage around the Mineshaft, holding on to it with the second-quickest time in the final two stages.

Elfyn Evans began strongly in the opening stage, only to see his weekend come to a premature end when he crashed into a ravine on the second stage. Evans and his co-pilot were unharmed but their Ford Fiesta was badly damaged.

Brendan Reeves was another casualty, suffering a drive shaft problem in the final stage.

Canberra's Adrian Coppin battled strongly to finish inside the top 10 in his Ford Fiesta.

AT A GLANCE: National Capital Rally: Australian Rally Championship: 1. Scott Pedder and Dale Moscatt (47:58.0), 2. Eli Evans and Glen Weston (48:06.1), 3. Tom Wilde and Bill Hayes (48:48.5). Classic: 1. Claude Murray and Matt James (50.35.4). 4WD: 1. Richie Dalton and Kirrilee Gentleman (49.03.7). NSW: 1. Chris Giddins and Damian Grahame (48:51.9). ACT: 1. Mark Sessions and Aaron Tams (52:20.7).

The National Capital Rally continues on Sunday at Kowen Forest from 9am.