Derek Shiekhi

The Mustang Source - Ford Mustang Forums

Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.

After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.

While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.

Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.

In addition to writing for a variety of Internet Brands sites, including JK Forum, H-D Forums, The Mustang Source, Mustang Forums, LS1Tech, HondaTech, Jaguar Forums, YotaTech, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts. Derek also started There Will Be Cars on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

The 2015 Mustang GT Locks the Line

The 2015 Mustang GT Locks the Line

Ford is a company which comprises engineers, designers, enthusiasts and strategists. Apparently, it also comprises realists. The automaker’s employees know buyers of the 2015 Mustang GT are going to take it to the drag strip, which is why it developed the new Line Lock feature. This trick software/hardware combo locks the front brakes and allows […] More »

By: | April 22, 2014

The 2015 Mustang’s Convertible Top Tech

The 2015 Mustang’s Convertible Top Tech

Convertible Mustangs are nothing new.  But the lid on the lower and wider 2015 Ford Mustang drop-top is. Lots of people love open-air motoring and want to get the wind in their hair as quickly and easily as possible.  If you’re one of those people, I’ve got great news.  Ron Lovasz, a product development engineer […] More »

By: | March 23, 2014

Aerodynamics and the 2015 Mustang

Aerodynamics and the 2015 Mustang

One of the wonderful things about writing for The Mustang Source is that the more car videos I watch and the more automotive articles I read, the better equipped I am to do my job.  It’s a real win-win situation. It’s my delightful duty to show you footage of how the 2015 Mustang handles wind […] More »

By: | March 20, 2014

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