Pope................ there is some info in here, its been going a few years, and in the article it features(ed) stock WW2 fighters, i think its great thing that guys keep the stock one flying great to see ............ but, as you said aswell not overly keen on the "highly" modified ones
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reno_Air_Races
And we did have our own .............. at one point
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schneider_Trophy
A P51 D set a record of 507.1 mph in 2003 and the Supermarine S.6B 407.5 mph in 1931 so not that far off considering the advances in fuel and the S.6B was a sea plane impressive to say the least.