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On the cockpit: Pilot Steve Hinton.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Hinton

Hinton became the chief test pilot for the Tsunami Racer in 1987.[14]

Some of Hinton's notable wins in air racing include:

1978, Mojave, Red Baron
1978, Reno (Unlimited National Champion), Red Baron
1979, Miami, Red Baron
1979, Mojave, Red Baron
1985, Reno (Unlimited National Champion), Super Corsair
1990, Sherman, Texas, Tsunami

I got to see this bird last year (2018) at the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa, ID. It is very impressive on the ground and especially in the air. Here is some more information:


Info per the FAA: N551VC, Voodoo, Serial Number 44-73415, NORTH AMERICAN, Model F-51D.

Info per Joe Baugher: "North American P-51D-25-NA Mustang, 44-73415 (MSN 122-39874) declared surplus and to AMC, Glendale Field Sep 13, 1950 for storage. To RCAF Feb 8, 1951 as 9289. Declared surplus Jul 1958. To civilian registry as N6526D, N551VC with Button Transportation, Inc, Dixon, CA. Crashed with major damage at Richmond, VA Feb 15, 1962. Converted to two-seat configuration at some stage since 1958. Crashed on takeoff at Olympia, WA Mar 19, 1977, killing both pilot and passenger. Rebuilt using fuselage of N6526D AURI airframe. At one time it was modified as a racer named Voodoo Chile (N551VC). According to some sources, N6526D was acquired by the RAF Museum and for many years and was displayed at Hendon painted as '413573'; it has the RAF 'bookkeeping' identity 9133M (as the aircraft is nominally on RAF charge, it must have an RAF serial - such 'bookkeeping' identities are allocated from the 'M-suffix' series normally allocated to airframes relegated to ground instructional duties). It has recently been moved from Hendon to the RAF Museum at Cosford. It was ceremoniously handed over to the RAF Museum Apr 20, 1989 at RAF Halton. I have seen a photo of N551VC taken in 2009, so the plane at the RAF Museum might not be 44-73415. Still active as N551VD, named "Voodoo" ant took part in 2013 Reno Air Races." [NOTE: N551VD is likely a typo since that N number is "Not Assigned/Reserved."]

a mentor, that's a nice set of facts about Steve Hinton's flying career. Unfortunately he's not the pilot of this particular plane, his son is, Steve Hinton Jr.
Steve senior retired from air racing in 1990, he's still involved at Reno, just not competing.

Steve Jr set the new worlds record in this plane in 2017.
Steve's dad, Steve, usually fly's chase in a T-33 for the unlimited class at Reno.

as stated clearly -- the name on the cockpit

a mentor, please watch this video about setting the world speed record, it's very interesting, and learn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ev29gcUAk0

@Jim; Thanks, enjoyed it. I've been to RAR at KRTS many times.