The Irish Kit Car Club was founded in 2002 and aims to encourage and support people who wish to build, buy or drive kit cars. The club has seen a particular spike in activity since the start of the first lockdown and while members may not have been able to meet in person, they have made full use of digital channels to indulge their passion for unique motoring, make plans for the future and make the process of building and owning a kit car in Ireland a little easier.

Andrew O’Byrne White, became Chairman of the voluntary organisation in October 2020 and with the help of other committee members, has used the lockdown period to reinvigorate its activities. Andrew has always had an interest in kit cars and after completing an engineering degree, he worked as a project manager for Jaguar Land Rover in the UK. It was here he decided to buy his first kit car and has been hooked ever since. He comments, “I decided the best way to really learn about kit cars was to build my own, so I bought a Westfield Mazda SDV kit and set to work at evenings and weekends.”

Andrew quickly found that a kit car build is a very long term project and while his engineering background meant he was well prepared for the build, he found the tips and tricks he could learn from other UK kit car club members was invaluable. He says, “Building your own car is a massive challenge, but is also very rewarding. It is great to be able to share your passion with other kit car enthusiasts, so when I moved back to Ireland at the start of 2020, I sought out the Irish Kit Car Club.”

Andrew says with many kit car builders having more spare time last year, interest and membership in the club grew and members were able to communicate with each other through an online forum and WhatsApp group. Andrew says, “We held online meetings and were able to get the club more active in areas such as securing member discounts. One area we were especially pleased to address was kit car insurance.”

Insuring kit cars in Ireland had proved difficult until recently, as a pervious provider stopped offering new policies. However, the club has now sourced a private insurer willing to provide cover, making kit car ownership much more simple and affordable.

Andrew says the club can also provide support on other ownership aspects, such as registration and NCT requirements. He says, “Because our members have been through the process, we can offer advice on things like registering or importing a kit car, as well as issues such as getting a car through the NCT.” He adds, “Our forum and WhatsApp group are also a great way to get advice and support on a build and get information on sourcing parts and donor vehicles.”

Andrew also points out that kit cars can provide good business opportunities for garages and bodyshops. He comments, “Often a person might start a project but for various reasons the build stalls and they need a professional’s help to finish it. There are also many people who love the idea of owning a kit car but don’t have the skills or expertise to do the build. Many of our members run garages and supplement their normal work with kit car services.”

Of course, being a kit car enthusiast is not all about the build. Getting your pride and joy on the road or track is hugely enjoyable and even more so, if you can share the experience with other Kit Car Club members. Previously the club was active organising track days, attending car shows and with other social activities. This has not been possible in recent months, but plans are already in place for events as soon as restrictions will allow. Andrew says, “We have a track day provisionally booked for Mondello in September and we are all keen to get back to car shows and weekend runs as soon as possible.”

The Irish Kit Car Club welcomes new members. For more information visit www.ikcc.ie.