DIdn't read any of this. Don't need to. You asking whether or not you should race. If you've decided you're interested enough to post a thread about it on bike forums then the answer is "YES!".
To answer the usual questions - You will never be ready for it so stop trying to train for it. It will be harder that you can imagine. If you can stay upright, walk and chew gum then put your hancock on a waiver and pin a number on.
Just be careful...It's like crack...or so I hear...