OKP Racing Club - A Life Long Competition

OKP Parts & Engineering is a restoration and classic racing spare parts provider whose fame has long exceeded the confines of its native Bavaria. Founded by Christian Ondrak and Mathias Körber in 1986, the company is delivering in-house engineering and restoration know-how, along with racing expertise, to customers all over the world, alfisti and not only (need the headlights covers for your Ferrari Daytona? OKP is the sole existing fabricator for them, and this is just a random example in the list of parts they're exclusively supplying). They're also the designated importers on the German market for Nardi steering wheels, Ansa exhausts or Agip motoroil. But true to their name, what they're most proud of is their racing record: sponsors and participants in the Alfa Revival Cup, enjoying a close relationship with a certain Arturo Merzario with whom they ran together at numerous events, often on engines prepared by the Facetti brothers. We met with one of the co-founders - Mathias Körber, accompanied by his son Fabian - on a fresh spring morning at the company's headquarters in Munich, where they warmly opened all doors for us, including those of their Alfas. Here is what we learned...

What made you fall in love with Alfa in the first place?

There are definitely two events which made me fall in love with Alfa at an early stage of my life. When I was still a young boy, my family spent most of their vacations in a hotel in South Tyrol. The hotel owner used to have a blue metallic 1750 Berlina and always took me with him in the back seat for a ride. I still do remember, how impressed I was by this car and how much I loved to watch him shifting the gears with excitement. Years later when I was a teenager, my older sister had a French boyfriend from Paris. He came to visit her every weekend with a car that again took all of my attention – a blue metallic Alfetta GTV 2.0. After his arrival, he always bragged about the new time record he has set.

What’s the first Alfa you would recommend somebody to buy?

As a first Alfa I would recommend a Giulia 1600! This model has many valuable aspects combined in one, which makes it so attractive to begin with. Due to the higher motorization it is usable for different types of driving, such as a relaxed but also a more dynamic style on the highway. Furthermore, with the space the Giulia has to offer, even long-lasting vacation trips are no problem. It may not look like, but the Giulia was designed with the knowledge and data conducted in a wind tunnel, leading to this boxy yet aerodynamic shape. All in all, the Giulia is a sporty limousine!

What is the biggest misconception about Alfa?

Unfortunately, many people still hold these unreliable and doubtful thoughts about Alfa Romeo in the back of their mind, which are not true. We as OKP try to change the peoples’ view by documenting our journey to the racetracks, exhibitions or other events on our website and social media platforms – of course, in a classic Alfa. It should be remembered that Alfa always worked closely with respectable brands such as ATE, Bonaldi, Bosch, Magneti Marelli, Weber, ZF etc. If an Alfa is well prepared, it will be your best friend who will never dissapoint you and will be able to enjoy this relationship for a long time.

What project would you most like to build?

For me the Giulia TZ 2 (Turbolare Zagato) is one of the greatest cars ever built by Alfa. With the Autodelta partnership in 1965, Alfa Romeo was back to the top level of motor sport. Especially, the weight reduction and the new twin ignition, as we know it from the GTA, makes the TZ 2 so attractive and successful. It would be a dream project to prepare one, to compete in different race series.

What’s your favourite event?

There are obviously many car events to talk about, but one I’m really fond of is the Alfa Revival Cup. It is a championship consisting of six races per year, taking place on well-known race tracks such as Monza, Imola and Mugello. Together with our Italian partner Alfa Delta, we are successfully represented with multiple cars and have already won the GTAm group, and since 2013 we are an official sponsor of this unique vintage racing championship.

What’s your favourite place to take your Alfa to?

That’s an easy one! In my opinion, there is no better place than to take an Alfa to ‘Bella Italia’. Everything just feels so complete after crossing the border and finally touching Italian ground! Starting in the North with narrow and winding roads in the Italian Alps, then reaching big cities such as Milan or Turin as well as cultural places like Parma and Florence, naming just a few of many. Continuing the journey towards south on the incredibly long coast roads with prime-view of the sea, in a car which every Italian loves to see. That is still the dream!

How does owning an Alfa change you?

Driving around in a classic Alfa just gives you a perfect feeling of the old days. It connects you with the time these cars were manufactured as well as the Italian way of life. Feeling the vibration of the engine, smelling the interior and having this timeless design makes it so special in a world were a lot of cars look the same and cause no emotions anymore.