Hello! You have two options:
* either run GTR2.exe and GTR2Config.exe in Windows XP compatibility mode and as administrator
* or, have a look at Crew Chief GTR2 Enhancements Plugin. Plugin fixes bunch of things in Steam GTR2.exe, including startup issues
https://thecrewchief.org/showthread.php?2012-Crew-
Chief-GTR2-Enhancements-Plugin-Setup-Instructions-
Known-Issues-and-Changelog In order to fix startup problems you just need to copy 2 plugin files, but plugin adds bunch of optional things, soon 70 pages of features and fixes and I am not done yet.
HTH!
PS: just realized this is German section, hope it's ok to post.