SPEKTRUM

Spektrum

Mario Christou attends a Porsche event in Dubai that’s all about colour.

Sun, sand and the sound of flat-six engines might seem like a ubiquitously Southern Californian combo these days - but that couldn’t be further from the truth. On this magical day a few weeks ago, the UAE might just have had Cali beat on all three of those points - not that it’s a competition.

“I’d say tat Emirati Porsche culture isn’t represented enough globally, but that is changing.” according to Sid Pandey, founder of Spektrum, a Dubai-based event that’s doing its part in putting the UAE on the global automotive map.

And it’s not just talk; within 30 seconds of stepping into the outfield of the Dubai Autodrome, it’s easy to see that Sid’s being deadly serious about it too. “People are still under the impression that it’s only supercars and glamour in the UAE, but the truth is that there’s a seriously dedicated enthusiast base that’s properly plugged into the global Porsche community.”

Considering that Spektrum was only conceived in 2024, the quality and variety of Porsches on display is staggering. Turbos, Taycans, Cayennes and Carreras, all in a fascinating or rare shades. A 992 GT3 RS is far from a wallflower, but parked next to a 956 in a Martini livery? It’s practically a sleeper. And that’s without mentioning the paint finishes, though an assortment of colour is to be expected at an event branded ‘Spektrum’, isn’t it?

“The base concept has always revolved around Porsches and colour.” Sid reflects. “As a photographer, I like vibrant subjects. More often than not, if I’ve shot a Porsche it has delivered in that regard.”

“PTS culture here has grown significantly in the last few years, with more and more information out there for Porsche enthusiasts to consume. Even neighbouring countries have picked up on the love for PTS, and certain cars have been changing hands across borders within the region.”

Against the hazy skylines of Jumeirah and the Arabian Ranch districts, the brightly coloured Porsches of Spektrum have a surreal air about them, one that Sid is fully aware of. “Until very recently, it was seen as good practice to buy a car in a monochromatic colour for resale value or to remain inconspicuous. That mentality is changing, in terms of pure numbers there’s still a vast number of black, grey, white and silver Porsches within the local scene.”

“People are still under the impression that it’s only supercars and glamour in the UAE, but the truth is that there’s a seriously dedicated enthusiast base that’s properly plugged into the global Porsche community.”

Arabic culture is vibrant and beautiful in so many ways, but it’s hard to imagine where the catalyst for Spektrum’s celebration of colour stemmed from in that sea of monochromatic local cars. That is, until we look back to Sid’s late formative years.

“As a photographer, I like vibrant subjects. More often than not, if I’ve shot a Porsche it has delivered in that regard.”

“It really kicked off at the end of my first day of an internship in the summer of 2014, when my boss at the time left work in a Speed Yellow 993 RS Clubsport. Fast forward three years and I was writing my own blog on classic cars.”

Based in Los Angeles at the time, Sid was in a prime place to experience Porsche culture first hand, and he embraced it with his arms wide open. Purchasing one was inevitable, specifically a Weinrot Metallic 1982 911SC; the car which Sid brought with him when he relocated back to Dubai.

Though it’s not just the car that he brought back with him, but the culture too. “I’ve been fortunate to attend Porsche events such as Luftgekuhlt and Rennsport, and to fully understand what makes Porsche enthusiasts tick. Moving back to Dubai in 2020, I re-immersed myself in the local car culture and was pleasantly surprised to see that the community had grown in leaps and bounds. Putting the cars, people and colours together wasn’t too much of a stretch, and Spektrum came about.”