This is an .asi plugin. You'll need to have Ultimate ASI Loader and Widescreen Fix installed (not included). It offers a customizable overlay and more useful features.

Introduction:

There's a reason why joypad players have been slower on average: it's due to steering smoothing applied by the game, which made drifting practically impossible when using the analog stick. While you could set up a digital steering input as a secondary control and use both simultaneously, it had barely any noticeable impact, unless you completely ditched analog input, or used a keyboard instead. With digital buttons (or keys), at least, you could break traction by quick tapping.

For wheel users, things are a bit different, as steering is much more direct and sensitive. This effect can be amplified by using it together with digital inputs. That makes initiating drifts a lot easier, even if controlling them remains tricky. But with enough practice, it unlocks a lot of potential, allowing corners to be taken at significantly higher speeds.

Good thing you don't need a steering wheel for this. Just make the game think your gamepad with analog stick is one. If you are ready for it, try enabling "Joypad as Wheel" in the options under Controller and see the difference. You'll need a steady thumb, though. I recommend using precision rings, which dampen sudden movements and allow for more precise control, bringing it closer to the feel of an actual wheel. It's kinda hard to describe; you have to try it.

Plugin Features:

• Identify Joypad as Wheel (as described above)
• HUD FPS display, optional with FPSLimit (from Widescreen Fix)
• Optional enhanced lap info replacement for Sprints and Free Run (counts up to 127 laps)
• Real-time timer (RTA) can be displayed on top
• Average speed, odometer and Free Run session stats, all optional
• Mouse can be moved outside the game without Alt-Tab, pointer customizable
• Input overlay, moveable and customizable, check the .ini file for more details,
  or use kickStart (part of the NFS.onl Software) which offers a GUI for all this

Credits:

This plugin (Lap Recorder) is developed by me (Redhair) and its code is partially based on components of the Nuzlocke Challenge mod by xan1242, particularly for Dear ImGui integration and mouse input handling. Sincere thanks to Xan/Tenjoin for making that work available: https://github.com/xan1242/NFSU-nuzlocke

Special thanks to Ravage and Skeich for their help with beta testing and valuable feedback.

Ultimate ASI Loader and NFSU Widescreen Fix are developed by ThirteenAG. You can download everything needed here: https://github.com/ThirteenAG/WidescreenFixesPack/releases/tag/nfsu

Note:

You won't need any of this if you already have the NFS.onl software installed, because it's all included and can be found here: http://nfsa.ca/f7903