It's NOT just a short MTB race, right?
Here in CO it seems like the majority of race courses are lots of single-track mixed with some 'jungle-cross' type features. I'm the first to admit that I'm not the greatest bike handler, and these types of courses really annoy me, but that's probably because when I want to spend an afternoon riding single track, I take my mountain bike. Is there anywhere in the country where you're actually rewarded for riding a cross bike? What are the courses like in your part of the world?