Try selecting the car from the "quick race" button in the menu after selecting a track. Works for me, no missing needles,etc.
Just to add, I say choose view #3, and I have needles if I "drive off the hood view". I would like to see the gauges with needles while in the driver's seat.
@ AMGfan (BPM) are you running the 0.6.5.4 version like me? I don't think i even have any night tracks...lol!
Aston Martin DB9 gauges work fine in ver 0.8.8.1 with my nVidia GTX285 but the car has a lot of Qlog errors that need fixing!