I also run associated stuff rc8be rc8t ce converted, however i run castle. Most of the guys at my track run losi and tekin. The tekin fails much more often then my castle stuff and if u set up the esc, radio settings and gearing then it can be very smooth. Something tells me u did not have ur setting dialed in.
I would rather finish every race then be smooth!!
Also I use the same esc's (MMM) that i used all of last year, just gotta make sure they are clean and the fans work properly