However, it's not the first time a Robin has died in the "Batman" comics - that also happened in 1988 with Jason Todd (who has since been resurrected).

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Jason Todd was eventually resurrected, since of course no death has to be permanent in comics, and became an opponent of Batman for a while before reforming again, currently operating as the Red Hood in his own monthly series.

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Brock, 58, came out of retirement to take part in the event, partnering Greg Murphy, Jason Bright and Todd Kelly in a Holden to win by 0.3secs.

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CNN's Ben Wedeman, Ben Brumfield, Marilia Brocchetto, Sarah Brown, Dugald McConnell, Brian Todd, Claudia Rebaza and Jason Hanna also contributed to this report.

CNN: March 19, 2013 -- Updated 1407 GMT (2207 HKT)

The blog, written by Patrick Conlon, Jason Nitti, Neel Williams and Adolfo Alcala, has now been released as a book, with illustrations by Mark Todd.

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