KUALA LUMPUR - The Sepang circuit will take a hard look at safety after the death of MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli, but the notoriously tricky track was not to blame in the tragedy, its chairman said on Monday.

The rising Italian speedster's death in a crash on Sunday in the Malaysian MotoGP sent shockwaves through motor sports, which were already reeling from the previous weekend's death of IndyCar's Dan Wheldon in a race in Las Vegas.

The Simoncelli tragedy will likely add fuel to questions being asked about the dangers of racing, and Sepang International Circuit chairman Mokhzani Mahathir said the track's first-ever fatality would prompt a new look at safety.

"Sepang race organizers have to re-look at safety from every angle again," he said.

Mokhzani said the International Motorcycling Federation would investigate the crash, which occurred early in the race and resulted in its cancelation.

"We will see from it (the investigation) if there is anything we could have done differently," he said.

The Sepang circuit, outside the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, is considered a challenging track due to the high heat, humidity, and frequent rain.

However, despite the usual sweltering tropical temperatures, conditions on Sunday were dry.

It was not immediately clear what prompted the crash. In footage of the accident, Simoncelli's bike veers in from outside the frame, with the 24-year-old Italian appearing to be sliding off.

With his head at track level, Simoncelli ploughed into the oncoming front tires of racers Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi.

The horrific collision tore Simoncelli's helmet off and left him lying motionless on the asphalt. He was pronounced dead shortly after of severe head, neck and chest injuries.

Despite the tragedy, Sepang, which also hosts the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix and other races, was "a safe track", Mokhzani said.

"It is a sad and unfortunate racing accident but the circuit is designed to the highest safety levels," he said, adding it was inspected by motor sports' governing bodies.

"Yesterday's accident was beyond anybody's control or expectation."

Agence France-Presse