6th September 2024: Father, Mathias, cemented his passion for the Biscione in a leading company in the sector producing and selling spare parts for Alfa Romeo, and who has taken to the track in the Alfa Revival Cup since the championship started. His son Fabian is also involved on the front line in the business and in races. In the 2024 season they share the seat of their Giulia Sprint GTA number 100. Let’s start with Mathias, who alongside Kristian Ondrak, also an Alfa Revival Cup driver, founded OKP parts & engineering more than thirty years ago with headquarters in Munich.
How did your passion for Alfa Romeo start?
“Everything began when I was 18 years old and Alfa Romeo production was in its golden age. I started by buying and restoring the first Giulia GTs. Two episodes led me down this path: the owner of the hotel in Merano where I used to go on holiday with my parents had a metallic blue 1750 sedan, one day he took me for a drive, I was 10 at the time and I was enchanted by the gear lever mechanism and the sound of the engine.
Later on, my sister had a boyfriend in Paris who used to come to Munich every weekend to see her with a 2 litre Alfetta GTV which was also metallic blue, and every time he boasted about how he had cut his travel time. I was struck by the fact that his whole family was passionate about Alfa Romeo more than French cars. My first car was a Volkswagen, which I soon changed for a 1977 Giulia GT. When I bought it was 4 years old: that was in 1981, but it was already seriously damaged by rust. I managed to restore it and I was very satisfied with the results.”
When did you decide to start racing?
“I started about twenty years ago, always with Alfas. I got to the Alfa Revival Cup in the first season, that was 13 years ago. I’m not a professional driver, racing between the curbs is an exciting hobby.”
What does racing mean to you? How does it make you feel?
“It’s the best thing around.”
What’s the best moment of a race?
“During the race, when everything is going well and you’re competitive.”
What is the best race you can remember having taken part in?
“The 6 hours of the Spa because it is a long challenge for the car and the driver. Spa is also my favourite circuit.”
What led you to choose the Alfa Revival Cup?
“Because it is the only series dedicated entirely to Alfa Romeo and, what’s more, it takes place in Italy, a country I love, with some of the most fun circuits in the world.
What goals have you set yourself for the 2024 season?
“Just having fun and following my passion.”
How and when did OKP Parts & Engineering start?
“In the early 80s we were a group of five friends in Munich all crazy about Alfa Romeo GT and we bought some old GTs for a few Marks. We rented a workshop where we could work on them in the evenings. I had worked in a workshop for three years and I was a student at a technical institute. During a meet I made friends with Kristian Ondrak and the next day I was working on his GT welding part of the bodywork: our friendship started like that.
Already at the end of the 1970s, the beginning of the 1980s, Alfa Romeo spare parts were hard to find and very expensive. So we looked in junkyards, going as far as Bolzano with the seats of the Giulia removed to fill it with spare parts. In Germany word spread and our first customers started to arrive. In 1986 we rented a small shop of 40 square metres in Munich and we opened our doors: during the daytime we were behind the counter at the shop and at nighttime we were restoring cars. At the moment we are a well-established company known throughout the world of Italian vintage cars. We produce spare parts from samples and drawings, providing maximum quality and reliability. Activity on the track helps us develop and refine the components.”
Let’s now move on to Fabian. How long have you been racing?
“I started racing with an Alfa Romeo Giulia T.I. Super when I was 18 years old, ten years ago. My passion blossomed following in my father’s footsteps and the OKP Parts & Engineering team on the circuits. Even this year I’m in the car with Mathias and it’s a fantastic experience.”
How do you feel during a race?
“Racing gives you a sense of freedom beyond imagination which is not possible on public roads due to traffic regulations. The start is challenging, because after the initial sprint the whole group is compact and aggressively directed towards the first corner. Every race is unique and fantastic in its own way.”
What aspects of racing in the Alfa Revival Cup do you like the most?
“I am fascinated by the era of Alfa Romeo sporting glory when cars and teams competed at top level championships and triumphed. At that time, it was pure racing and there were no electronic aids: everything was in the hands of the driver and the quality of the car.
OKP Parts & Engineering has proudly supported Alfa since it started business and since that time the OKP team has taken part in every season. In the 2024 season I’m giving my all in every race, with a constant improvement to the car and my skills.”
How do you feel racing with your father?
“My father puts his best effort behind the wheel and knows what to do. Sharing the car with him allows us to spend time together, discussing what’s happening on the track. Races make it possible for us to spend a few days together, travelling, experiencing the racetracks and spending quality time together. The Alfa Revival Cup gives us the opportunity to be together and make precious memories.”
