I like the extended race also. Though I dislike Anakin's Stalling Out and then having the mechanical problem and then the extended versions, flailing around loose engine bit.
I don't disagree with the cartoon issue. But if you cut Quadrinaros and the 2 headed announcer, I think the rest wouldn't seem so bad.
My edit is an attempt to shrink the whole 6 film saga into a single 3 hr and 59 minute epic movie. So thats why the shortening of the race to only 1 lap.