LAUNCESTON, Australia Australia's five-time 500cc motorcycle world champion Michael Doohan escaped unharmed after rolling his Mercedes-Benz car in a high-speed crash on his rallying debut on Saturday.

According to Reuters, Doohan has been competing in the Targa Rally which runs from April 18 to 24 in Tasmania.

"We have been having some brake problems and as I came into the turn the car didn't want to go the way I wanted," Doohan said.

"The car hit a bank, rolled over and went backward before stopping upside down. It was a big shunt, but luckily both Mark (navigator Mark Stacey) and I were able to walk away from it," he added.

Doohan, 35, retired from motorbike racing in 1999. He had been in 13th position on the third day of the rally.

"I was having a lot of fun driving the car so this is a disappointing way to end," he said.