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.
As we told you last month, Matt Farah from The Smoking Tire recently bought a decommissioned California Highway Patrol Mustang 5.0. Before he can start souping it up, he needs to discover its current capabilities. And what better place to do that than on a track? So, it’s off to Southern California’s Buttonwillow Raceway Park […] More »
Rental cars do not lead easy lives. People do things in them they would never dream of doing in their own vehicles. Burning out, eating, accelerating hard, drag racin. Normally that happens in four-door econoboxes. They’re generally not fast enough to be fun without being mercilessly abused. Enter the Hertz Penske Ford Mustang GT. It’s the […] More »
Sometimes, simple is best. Drama-free relationships. Jameson whiskey and ice. Classic, conservative clothing. Matt Farah seems to be of the same opinion. He recently purchased a 1988 Ford Mustang 5.0 notchback that used to served as a pursuit vehicle in the California Highway Patrol with 33,187 questionable miles. No power windows, locks or mirrors… there’s not […] More »
We’ve all heard about “that guy.” The one who spent an insane amount of money on sticker price and mark-up just to be the first person on his block with the newest model of a car. Over the weekend, a very generous man shelled out 300 grand for not only the first 2015 Mustang GT […] More »
A lot has changed in the past 50 years: world leaders, currencies, celebrities, bread prices and, of course, the Ford Mustang. Since the days of LBJ’s administration, the iconic pony car has hit the highs of record sales and undeniable cultural relevance and the lows of performance-strangling emissions regulations and anemic power trains. Five decades […] More »
