The sand pit was actually quite amazing. It was built on top of a concrete slab so the sand didn't really compact, it just displaces. 10' wide, 40' long and 10" deep meant go fast and hold your line.
The stairs were a lot of fun too.
Come to think of it, usually you see "natural" sand pits, not 10" deep sand pits of where they were TRYING to get people to go over the bars. But I have seen stairs used in videos and photos.
That was my favorite race this season. A lot of technical sections with a few straights between them. A lot of climbing and descending too.