I kind of understand going blinky ESC, but people really are a pain with motor rules, always pushing the limit higher. I don't get why some are so against the Novak motors?? If you have full USVTA tracks near you I'd go with those rules.
Sometimes you can make the people with motor issues happy by allowing a grace period to come up to whatever spec you choose so that you can get started. Make sure you set a hard date to come up to your specs though.