Upcoming CC mtn. bike race

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Hey guys,
Well, i am an avid cycler and mountain biker. I have just signed up for a CC mountian bike race. It is a 9.5 mile race with like 1/2 singletrack. I own a GF Cake 4. Winning time last year was 1 hour. I am a junior. I beilve I should be fast enough for that, just not skilled in the accutual handleing of the bike. What are some good training tips I can get in order to prepare?