I play a bunch of racing games/driving sims , and I use a wheel with a shifter. Playing the games has absolutely helped me with learning with the muscle memory involved with driving stick.
Nissan and other companies actively recruit from the best players in games to find new professional drivers.
http://www.nissanusa.com/gtacademyshow/Many formula 1 drivers use simulators to practice when they cant be at the track.
If you play the games on a controller, its not quite as helpful, but the game will still teach you the very basics of driving quickly, like where to brake and what line to follow through a corner.
I wouldn't assume GTA falls under 'driving simulation', but truth is obviously stranger then fiction.