I bought a gamecube controller to play with Mario Kart Wii. I read online (from 2008 articles) that the classic/gamecube controller is gimped and only the wiimote properly works. What gives? Am I doing it wrong, or is Mario Kart Wii truly gimped?

I have had Mario Kart Wii since release and use the Wavebird Gamecube controller and have never had a problem. I have tried the Classic Controller as well and yet again I have never had a problem. I have never heard of any of the classic/gamecube controllers being gimped. 

I tried Mario Kart Wii with the all the controllers and it worked fine. I prefer the Wii Remote and Nunchuk as you can perform more maneuvers with it and it was the easiest of the four options.

With the Gamecube controller it works fine-its always nice to have some spare if some of your friends come round and can't/don't want to play with the wheel.

I can't jump or drift with the gamecube controller. What gives?

" I can't jump or drift with the gamecube controller. What gives? "

Yeah, Claude is right. You only drift when you set your Kart or Bike to Manual. 
 
Does the GameCube controller do air maneuvers?

" Yeah, Claude is right. You only drift when you set your Kart or Bike to Manual.  Does the GameCube controller do air maneuvers? "

Yep.
 
The Gamecube controller should be perfect for any Mario Kart Wii needs.
 
Although it's not as fun without the steering motion control.

Thanks for all the help guys! One last question. How do you get the controller to work in single player? Whenever I try, it does nothing and only works when the wiimote is plugged in.

" Thanks for all the help guys! One last question. How do you get the controller to work in single player? Whenever I try, it does nothing and only works when the wiimote is plugged in. "

Thanks. It's not an actual Gamecube controller. I bought 3 off ebay, but earlier I went to EBgames and they had a "Wii" Gamecube controller. i have the feeling it's a hit and miss with third party controllers.

" Up on the d pad is ... the wheelie for motorcycles. "

" @Claude said:

" Up on the d pad is ... the wheelie for motorcycles. "

Man I realized Nintendo was a little backwards when B came before A on the controller... but that's just amazing. As somebody who always plays with the Y-axis inverted on analog sticks, that just makes my brain want to bleed. "

It may be that, either way, I have 4 gamecube controllers and it's going to be a blast!

gamecube controller is the best way to play mario kart