It was my first mtb race, have been doing adventure races for the last year (bought a bike 13 months ago). Competed in a team of 4 with all the boys being in exactly the same situation.
Really enjoyed it, though was a little hard to get out of bed for my night laps, apparently there was some comments around bugger off i'm not going when nudged awake, but once you pull the gear on and get out there you a fine.
I thought the atmosphere on track was great, had two laps where passed more people than passed me and two where more passed me than i passed, at all times everyone seemed pretty courteous and aware. THough did come of once when a rider was overtaking balked and cut back in, but no harm done and he was genuinley sorry. It happens i guess so wasn't complaining.
Will say that having flats, not clip in's, and riding a hardtail where not wise moves. Think will have to purchase some clip in's soon, and consider the whether i really want to drop some money on the dually, hopefully the scratchie i'm owed by a mate for posting a faster lap time than him comes up trumps and can feel less guilty about dropping cash on a dually when should be saving...