I have also just noticed a different gameport to USB adaptor (part ZP13P), which allows 4 gameport controllers to be plugged into USB and has a 4-way switch. Also I think the one I mentioned previously can have 2 controllers plugged in...but it's not all that clear. http://www.maplin.co.uk btw
Thanks Minwah, I didn't know those existed. Here's a review of one sold by Radio Shack (for the other U.S. readers)
http://www.joy-stick.net/reviews/other/usbadapt.htmIt should do what I want and it's easier than hacking apart a USB stick, although I think I might pass on it after all (or I might wait till I really need it.) I realized that this acts as a 4-axis joystick, but I can have this with the gameport and a splitter cable, so I can hook up 2 sets of pedals this way. This would cover everything except 2-player simultaneous driving games with clutch pedals, or 3-player driving games with brakes (if there are any?) (Where are you, Urebel???)
Anyway, at least now I know it exists if I ever need one.
Thanks again for the tip and Merry Christmas to everyone on the board.