I would think it would.... At my, level intermediate to expert, in the NORBA it is kinda intimidating to race since you are racing people country wide, supposedly. But if I were racing people more local and not so national I wouldn't be so reluctant.
Not only that you get to race trails in your neighborhood... not on the east coast (snow mass, diablo, etc). Prizes would also be very local. Most of the people come to Norbas are also mostly local to the areas....