It's still around because it's still the only way to play ridge racer 2 or rave racer. Minus the FFB for rave racer and the cool lighting effects but you can't have it all.
I FINALLY got my wheel working with it though, turns out the gas axis on my driving force is Y and the brake is Zr.
Would be cool to see Mame run these properly one day. And for someone to add some real FFB to it as well.