This is helping me feel better about the whole thing, I am definitely going to check out the book on developing math talent.

And, I will probably lay off anything but showing the fun patterns and tricks to the multiplication tables, and I think I'm going to have a pre-emptive chat with his new teacher to get a feel for how math will go this year...
If they do present the timed sheets, I will try that trick of breaking down the timing - thanks ebeth, doodlebug, everyone!