Webber badly broke his leg in a mountain bike stage, which derailed his winter testing program and threatened his entire career, amid rumors it was Red Bull Racing who ordered the event be cancelled for subsequent years.

But the 34-year-old said at the time that it was actually the global financial crisis that caused the event to lapse, due to the expiry of major sponsorship contracts.

The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper indicated that the next Mark Webber Challenge could be held in late 2011 -- after his current contract with Red Bull runs out.

When asked last week what he plans for his retirement, Webber answered: "We're looking at reintroducing my Tasmania challenge -- in fact, we're in the throes of finalizing a deal which will hopefully see it return at the end of 2011."