[Batfish]

If you cannot disable the brakes on your ESC, a Y connector won't stop the ESC from braking with a center diff, so the load is still there (although it may be less).

With channel mixing on the radio, you just need to make sure your ESC has reverse disabled.

Regardless, you definitely want reverse disabled for this application if you're using mechanical brakes. You do NOT want your motor trying to push the buggy in reverse while you have the brakes engaged. Ouch!