Juiced problems... controls etc PLEASE HELP!!!

[Fingersniffer]

I got this game a few days ago and hmany problems with it. First after I installed it it had an error and had to reinstall it. I made a profile and edited the controls for my Microsoft Sidewinder gamepad (which it recognized in game) and the keyboard works when in the options menu etc but when I start ANY race the sidewinder gamepad doesnt work AT ALL and my keyboard doesnt function either, I have to ALT Tab out of the game and use task manager to close the game. I have checked for any updated drivers for video Asus ATI x800, sound Soundblaster Audigy 2, gamepad Microsoft Sidewinder, keyboard (Saitek USB gamers keyboard), Motherboard, EVERYTHING! My keyboard, mouse, sidewinder has worked in countless other games and no problems (CoD, NFSu2, Battlefield 2 etc) and I had searched for days for any kind of patch info for Juiced from the THQ website and anyplace else I can think of and found nothing. THQ website wasnt even up till like yesterday and its a worthless site, tech support hasnt responded in 4 days (2 day response time my ass) and thier website offers NO support, forums, or general info for anything. I'm at a complete loss for what to try and do to fix this game... I'm so ready to toss this game in the ****ter and eat my $40 bucks I blew on this worthless game. PLEASE HELP!