It took place on the weekend of 21–23 October 2011 at the Sepang International Circuit, but the MotoGP race was red-flagged and subsequently cancelled after two laps due to a serious accident involving Marco Simoncelli.

[4] Simoncelli fell while running fourth, his bike and body veering across the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi.

Exiting the right-handed wide Turn 11 on the second lap, Simoncelli loses traction in the front wheels into a "low-side" and veered into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, both of whom made contact with the fallen rider on their motorcycles.

MotoGP medical director Michele Macchiagodena stated to the media Simoncelli suffered cardiac arrest whilst in the ambulance.

[8] Video evidence showed spectators trashed the circuit after the cancellation was announced, not understanding the fatal crash.