It's not like I was being rough with it. I think the problem is the potentiometers which track the stick's movement. Either they're not secured well enough or their resolution isn't good enough for such a short travel.
Mine failed after a couple of months and keeps jumping from one gear to another. Did use it until then in every race I did, (with the roadcars) and will start using it once I get a replacement.
Just noticed a funny coincidence when I was naming the screenshot.
I took the main "sponsor" FOR YOUR EYES ONLY from a speedboat when i started this skin a couple of weeks back. Today I made a fictional brand (which I thought could be a goldsmith or something) called "REYES". Funny enough those two fit together if you reorganise the letters a bit on the first sentence..
Not for me they aren't. I suppose they're an easy way to make something rather complex looking with a bit less effort. I wouldn't call it designing though..