Thrustmaster driver update

I am using the T150 wheel base with t3pa pedals connected to the pc via a seperate RJ12 to USB connector (i am unable to connect the pedals directly to the wheel due to other issues). Previously, i was unable to play at all as the game would not recognise my wheel inputs.

after Thrustmaster's latest driver update, it seemed to have been fixed the first time i started the game. However the next time i started it up, the issue returned and i have no idea how to fix it.

1. upon starting the game, i have to press on the pedals once for it to start recognising my input on the wheel (in order to press any button to enter the menu screen)

2. entering a session, the pedals fail to work

3. when i tried disconnecting them, the game completely froze up

4. when i reconnected them, the game showed the "controller disconnected" screen

5. upon exiting this screen with my keyboard, it detected neither my wheel nor my pedal inputs. It seems that it knows that my wheel is connected but does not know my pedals are connected, but recognises input from neither

from more testing, it seems that it fails to work if i close the game and later reopen it. it only works on the first time i open the game after turning on the PC/restarting the PC. And even then, i have to do step 1 above (press on pedals in order for it to recognise any input on the wheel)