Be careful playing the Tesla kart game, don't wear your tires down by steering the wheel too much

Or do it sitting in a loose surface parking lot (dirt, gravel, whatever).

I doubt the wheels turn at all while in this mode.

they do turn unfortunately turn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sanbI_ze8c

As noted above they do turn. I think it would be potentially dangerous to allow a software change to prevent the wheel from turning the tires, so unlikely to be implemented.

I understand that, but also, the tesla has software configuration for e.g. how tight the steering is, so ostensibly it would be possible. But it does make sense that there would be no way for the steering column ECU's CAN messages to be blocked from reaching the steering ECU.

I've got a Sparco R383 steering wheel .. on a Fanatec Podium Hub and DD1 direct drive wheelbase.

There's your real steering wheel, and it won't wear out your car's tyres either. ;)