Rapture in Misery - 12 hours of pain

Ok...I guess tomorrow is it.
The Rapture in Misery 6/12 and I will be doing the 12 hour solo....what the hell was I thinking when I decided that?
Supposed to be a fast course, its 10 miles long. 12 hours is along time. This will be the longest race I have ever done. I haven't been on the bike for a couple of days out of laziness...and work. I really wanted to get out there and preride the course today but it was a crazy day at the shop and I didn't get out until close at 8. Still much to do tonight. Gathering my gear, hydrating, getting some good carbo loading done....black beans and rice....its cooking right now.
I got a little worried that this race was a mistake yesterday. Head games I am playing with my self. I think its because this is the "best" race season I have ever had which lead to visions of grander. Bad boy zeke. The thing to remember about the other races (all three of them that I have done this year) is that in those I was racing clydesdale... small group of normally older guys. Granted I was on a single speed against gears but this race is a whole different thing. I am racing open men in the solo category. Lots of other riders, longer time on the bike. But the key is to have fun and enjoy it. Put aside the idea that I am going to do well and just have fun. That is all I have done in the other races so why should this be different? The big thing will be to not go as hard as I have done in other races. Compared to hammering it out for 3 laps this will be much longer. I had originally envisioned 12 laps doing one per hour....that was silly. I was told the course takes a bit over an hour at an average pace... the average pace of a fast guy, that I am not. So if its going to take a bit over an hour per lap I figure 6 + laps is a good goal. Plenty of time for stops to refuel, fix flats, and have fun with out killing myself.
Over all my real biggest concern is the night laps. The race goes from noon to midnight so I figure there is at least 3+ hours in the dark. I have gotten in a couple of night rides on the trail, but we will see how I do. Worst case I will we so tired by night that I will have to bail out due to my vision. Once I get really tired it starts getting harder to see. However it that happens it will be beer time, to hell with the race.
I have a back up bike (which I really hope I don't need!!), a back up HID light (hopefully don't need) and a back up pair of cycling shorts and jersey( really hope I don't need) so I am ready. I guess I will go ahead and take my camping gear. I really don't want to say out there and sleep. I would rather come home, shower and sleep in my comfy bed until I feel like getting up on Sunday. But, after 12 hours on the bike will I beable to do the 40 minute drive home? Risking it sounds better than sleeping in the van all gross from riding all day and then getting up at sun rise and driving home to shower and go back to sleep. At least it does to me, I guess it depends on how I feel. I gotta remember that I officially don't have a drivers license and there is currently no insurance on the van....bad news if I would get stopped.
Well that's it kids. Time to eat. Gather the rest of the crap and hit the sack. I will up date with how it went on Sunday. Wish me luck!