Why This Page Exists
Most software companies hide their limitations in small print. We'd rather tell you upfront what PaddockPro doesn't do—so you can make an informed decision and avoid disappointment.
PaddockPro does a lot of things well. But it doesn't do everything, and pretending otherwise would waste your time and money.
Here's what PaddockPro genuinely cannot help you with—and what alternatives exist if these are your priorities.
The Things We Don't Do
GPS Lap Timing (coming soon)
GPS lap timing is coming soon to all tiers, free, with no hardware required. Once it launches, select your circuit, hit start, and the app tracks your laps using the circuit boundary data already in the system. Personal bests are logged automatically.
What we don't do is advanced data acquisition — GPS traces, braking point analysis, racing line overlays, or onboard telemetry. We log sessions, and lap timing is coming soon. For the full data picture, run a dedicated logger alongside us.
Use Alongside
Harry's Laptimer, RaceChrono, AiM. Third-party data import coming soon at Clubman and above.
Driving Technique Analysis
We can't tell you where you're braking too early, which corners you're losing time in, or how to improve your driving technique. That requires video analysis, driver coaching, or GPS-based track mapping.
Use Instead
Track Attack, Aim Sports, or a professional driving coach. For video analysis, try a GoPro with RaceChrono overlay.
Car Diagnostics or OBD Integration
PaddockPro doesn't plug into your car's ECU. We can't read fault codes, monitor live engine parameters, or alert you to mechanical issues.
We track what you tell us about the car—not what the car tells us directly.
Use Instead
Torque Pro, OBDLink, or your car manufacturer's diagnostic app. For race cars, AIM or MoTeC systems provide comprehensive data.
Parts Ordering or Inventory Management
We don't maintain parts catalogues, track stock levels, or help you order components. If you need to manage an inventory of spares, tyres, or consumables, that's not our wheelhouse.
Use Instead
A simple spreadsheet, or inventory tools like Sortly or inFlow if you're running multiple cars with serious parts stock.
Track Day Booking or Calendar Management
We don't integrate with track day organisers or booking systems. We won't remind you to book Brands Hatch before it sells out or manage your calendar of events.
Use Instead
Book directly with organisers (MSV, Javelin, OpenTrack) and use Google Calendar or similar for reminders.
The Social Layer
PaddockPro has a community built in — free on all tiers. Activity feed, driver profiles, direct messages, Groups (club, marque, series), and 100+ achievement badges. Sessions can be shared, setups discussed, and circuits explored together.
What it isn't: a public social network or an influencer platform. No algorithmic feed. No likes. Drivers talking shop — that's the intent.
What we don't do is connect you to external communities or integrate with Facebook groups, SELOC, or Pistonheads. Those are still the right places for wider model-specific forums and club chat.
Setup Recommendations for Your Specific Car
We don't have a database of "ideal" setups for every car. The system analyses your data and spots patterns in your sessions—but it can't tell a first-time user "here's the perfect Brands Hatch setup for your MX-5."
What it can do: After a few sessions, it might notice "every time you softened the rear at this track, the car felt better."
Use Instead
Car-specific forums, owner's clubs, or experienced drivers with the same platform. That tribal knowledge is invaluable for starting points.
Current Platform Limitations
Beyond the "we don't do that" list, here are some practical limitations of the current version:
- Web and mobile only. There's no desktop app. Works fine in browsers on Mac/Windows, but there's no native installed application.
- English only. The interface is English-language. No multi-language support currently.
- Manual data entry. Most information needs to be entered by you. We don't automatically pull data from other systems (yet).
- No Apple Watch / wearable app. You can't glance at your wrist for checklist reminders. Phone or tablet required.
- UK-focused weather data. Weather integration works best for UK circuits. International coverage is functional but less precise.
Why We're Telling You This
Because we've seen people sign up expecting a full data acquisition system, get frustrated, and leave. That's a waste of everyone's time. If you need any of the things above, PaddockPro isn't the right tool—and we'd rather you know that before you spend money.
Quick Reference
PaddockPro Won't
- Analyse your driving technique
- Read OBD/ECU data
- Manage parts inventory
- Book track days
- Tell you the "best" setup for your car
PaddockPro Will
- Track every setup change
- Recall your baseline instantly
- Spot patterns in your data (Pro tier)
- Remind you what worked last time at this track
- Run pre-flight checklists
- Track sessions and maintenance history. Tyre life tracking and fuel tools are coming soon.
- Keep setup knowledge out of your head
Things That Might Change
Some limitations are permanent (we'll never be a full telemetry system), but others might change as we develop:
- Data imports: We're exploring ways to pull in lap times from popular timing apps so you don't have to enter them manually.
- International weather: Better coverage for European circuits is on the roadmap.
- Shared setups: We're considering optional ways to share setups with friends or team members—but privacy-first, never public by default.
No promises on timing, but we're listening to what users want most.
"I appreciate you being upfront about what the app doesn't do. Saved me signing up expecting something different."
Still Right for You?
If you've read all that and you're thinking "yeah, but what I really need is setup tracking and session notes that don't live in a tatty notebook"—then we might be exactly what you're looking for.
Have a look at what PaddockPro does do, and see if it fits your needs.