Arrive at the race venue early ..... Early enough to... if a Crit..... Ride the course before everyone gets there, by everyone I mean the fields, course set up should have been completed the night before... If it's a road course, then hopefully you have the option to arrive ( optimally ) the night before, if not, figuring out what the roadway is like with time to spare is critical... Getting to know the road course during the 1st couple of laps is a recipe for disaster... You will waste energy figuring things out when you should be relaxing and going with the flow....
Know your competition... Know who the Guy's / Girl's are that will dictate the race... they are the one's to watch and follow when appropriate..
Knowing your competition is key to not committing senseless moves...
Every bit of energy you save for race time will be needed... Don't think about wether or not you are ready. It's race day and there is nothing you can do today or in the past 2 weeks to up your performance levels so relax, breathe and prepare to have fun....
If you are racing a hilly road course or something like the Killington Stage Race or the Green Mountain Stage Race, pay extreme attention to the needed gearing.... Yeah the race bible / flyer may have a suggestion, but what someone can climb in a 39-21 may mean a 39-23 for you...
Trying to race uphill in an inefficient gearing will drain your reserves quickly ....
Speaking of equipment.... That race bike should be ready day's before the race, especially if something was changed, you will need time to adjust to anything different... Especially your position.... Dial that in weeks in advance, at the beginning of the season ( by that I mean early when you are working on base fitness, long before training races begin )... Race day or weekend or week should be only about concentrating on race strategy, not equipment or perceived lack of fitness....
Good luck to Noobies and have fun .....