Exactly!
That is the whole reason I downloaded TS2, was for the fact that it supports joysticks and gamepads. You can only use the first 4 buttons on your joystick as well as the stick itself, or the D-pad if you're using a gamepad like I am.
It's been a long time since I've configured it, or even played it. I think you go into where it lets you configure everything, and it should walk you through it. I set mine up for button 2 being the throttle, and button 1 being the brake, and the left and right directions for steering obviously. I put the up and down arrows for shifting in manual transmission but I never use that. I have button 3 for the horn and button 4 I think is set for all the announcement stuff. Again, something I hardly ever use.
Since my gamepad is almost exactly like a PS2 controller, that set up works great since it's as close to the way controls are on a mainstream racing game as I can get them. I do hope thateventually they add support for more buttons though.
Now I need to figure out how to get into a multiplayer race online!
HTH
Brian