Thank you very much. I ended up adding the hw_r7_drvless.c/h files and modifying conf_general.h to the latest commit on github, 5.03.37. I also built the latest vesc tool for OS X. Everything works on my testbench and the sensorless start is very smooth and consistent.
Thanks for designing such an elegant controller. The JST connectors are well thought out. Thanks especially for separating out the ADC and UART pins to different connectors and providing ring terminal mounts.