I've got to defend blinky settings in ESCs, as they're getting a bad rap here. Our biggest and somehow still growing class is Tamiya Mini, in which we use a spec 2200kv motor/ESC combo. The systems are dead reliable, equal and cheaper than the brushed speed controls many were running a few years ago. The bonus is that people graduate from mini and were constantly feeding new drivers into TC and pan car classes...with boost and all that other hooey.
BTW, if you want mod TC, we're running it across western Canada this year. NO motor, ESC or timing limits. Just fast cars and the smell of smoke.