Well, as it is, the pod race is OK. It doesn't seem to detract from anything. After all, the purpose is to show Anakin's skill as a pilot. And that, I think it achieved. Yeah, it can get repetitive and boring at times, but at least it does have a purpose.

It's the same with the ROTJ Jabba scenes. Even though they can be boring at times, they are OK because they have a point. Well, two points really. They show the capture of Han, and establish the fact that Luke is now a full fledged Jedi Knight and it establishes this by showing some of his skills.