got the same problem like falcon5. Gamepad turn off, it works !
Another strange thing was, when I got the Gamepad on, i couldn´t connect to masterserver, unlock s2. When I turn my gamepad off, I could unlock s2. Very strange....
with my old PC (2003) i just got a 800Mhz AMD Duron, 256MB SD / Leadtek Winfast (GF2-MX175!).... a Pentium III with same frequency kicked my ass.
in 800x600 min details...7fps @ start / 12-20 in Race. After I overclocked CPU and GPU I got 10 @ start / 15-30 in Race :P......