Spazz-ma-tazz race/training ride report

Even though I still don't know what spazz-ma-tazz means, I went to Smithville with the intention of racing.  After having a decent race at Rhett's run.  I decided I would try to get out a little faster and try to avoid traffic the first lap. 

At the start, I got into the top half of the field, which is a first for me in a MTB race.  A couple of minutes into the race, we went around a sharp turn, and the guy in front of me swerved at the last second to avoid a small tree on the side of the trail.  I wasn't able to avoid it.  I went over the handlebars, and the bike came down on top of me.  So the rest of the field passed me while I was lying face down on the side of the trail, with my bike on top of me, trying to get my foot unclipped. 

I was able to get up and chase down one rider, then skidded out on another corner.  I didn't go down, but I dropped my chain and was passed by the 40-49 group.  At that point, I decided it just wasn't my day.  I never have done well riding any trail the first time.  I decided to take it easy and treat the race as a training ride, just finishing to get points for the overall series.

By my second lap, I felt more comfortable and started passing a couple of people, except for one guy.  He pedaled up the hills in granny gear, and then would bomb the downhills.  He'd pull away on the downhills and once I caught up he would take off again.  I kept thinking that there would be a chance to pass coming up or he would just get tired of me being on his wheel and let me pass.

The last mile and a half I was still riding strong and passed 4 people riding through a muddy field at the end.  I finished feeling like I could ride another lap or two at the same pace. 

9th out of 12 in sport class,  Not what I was hoping for, but oh well. I should have done the expert class.  There was only 1 rider in the under-35 division.  I could have gotten 2nd, just for finishing.

Does anyone want to pre-ride the Show-me games course?  It's less than two weeks away, and I would like to get familiar with it so I don't wind up hurting myself.