Mountain Bike Racing - Mid-atlantic XC/Endurance - preferred bike?

I've been road racing for a few years now and recently starting racing cross. I want to mix in a bit of mountain biking this year with thoughts of dabbling in some XC and endurance events.

I'm trying to narrow down on a particular type of bike - 26" HT, 29" HT, or a short travel FS 26" or 29", etc... So what's the preferred bike choice these days for the Mid-Atlantic race courses?

Oh, and sorry if it's been covered to death - I can't seem to use the new search worth a damn.

Thanks!

I'm telling.

Had the same question a few months ago - generally thinking short travel FS, although CrackMonkey thought you could do it on a hardtail (albeit not that comfortably).

If I had the dough, I was thinking one of the aluminum bikesdirect bikes. Can't see any reason to get a CF mountain bike other than incremental weight savings.

I was thinking a HT 29er, but I may buy a cheap beater off eBay just to work on some skills before committing to actually racing - though after taking a look at the 2010 road racing calendar, I'm thinking it's pretty darn likely I'll be trying more then a few XC races.

I've decided to never buy a bike that I'll hate in 6 mos on the theory that I'm just testing out the area.

I think it'd be fun to do one of those 12-13 hr races.

for endurance events I'd say a fs bike would be preferable

you tend to take more punishment on a HT which can add up over the day