For those of you unfamiliar with SpeedFreek, it's a small attachment that can be placed on either or both of the Xbox 360's analog sticks for racing games. Using only two directions to steer the analog stick, it keeps you on the track in Forza/PGR instead of pushing forward and backwards ever so slightly.

They officially released a black stick which matches with the Elite controller, but seeing how the thumbsticks are still grey on all colored controllers it doesn't look pretty up close. Works just as well though, and we don't count on getting any blue or pink SpeedFreek's.

They also attached a heartwarming story about an ACC rider who had some nerve damage in an car accident after trying to do a quadripple barrel roll. He says:

Only a few days later did I start to feel the effects of nerve damage in the form of numbness in my left arm and hand. The doctor said the damage was unlikely to be permanent, but he would certainly be wrong on that account. As an avid gamer, I found it impossible to keep my left thumb on the analog stick. You see, prior to my accident, I was quickly becoming one of the fastest racers in the Forza Motorsports 2 community...

The gadget was the Speed Freek and it would become the only reason I am able to play games to this day. After Mystic had explained the simplicity of the Speed Freek and how it helped him keep his massive thumb on the analog stick, I figured that I should give it a try. So I ordered a pair on the Kontrol Freek website and in a few days I had them in my possession. I popped the tube, placed the Speed Freek on my controller and threw FM2 into my Xbox 360. To my amazement, I was able to not only get through turn one, I was able to complete an entire lap without my thumb coming off of the stick. The simple U design of the Speed Freek made gaming a reality rather than just a dream. Not only was I able to race again, but I was breaking my own #1 times by over a full second!

Good for you ACC Pale Rider. While it's doubtful we'll hear more stories like this, those who suffer from sweaty fingers or find a way to fit it onto their SIXAXIS controllers will certainly appreciate it.

[via KontrolFreek]