On the non blinky stock class.... that sounds like cheating lol. If its a stock class that generally means spec motor and stock esc from what I've gathered. So if you run timing on your esc because other guys run high $ motors, that's cheating. They spent the $ to go fast within the rules and you didn't.
As far as trackstar products go. I've ran their stuff as well as the turnigy brand from hobbyking in several cars now and haven't had one problem. Electronics are funny... one guy could have great luck while others have lousy.
I'm running the trackstar turbo esc with the matching 17.5 motor currently, but I'm going to be running an F-1 this weekend for the first time so I'm excited to see how it does.