The Fall 2015 Texas Invitational is coming to a runway in the Dallas, Texas area October 2-4. During that time, thousands and thousands of horsepower will be concentrated in one spot. Make sure you’re in the middle of it.
Forum sponsor Speed Syndicate says, “The driving area is a straight line with a defined starting point, starting mechanism, finish line, and independent MPH speed trap displays. In the morning, drivers will have a chance to test and tune and speed index.” Those index numbers will form the basis of competition ladders for the TI’s three racing classes. The ladders will be run in an elimination format.
The three classes of the event will be the 175mph Trap Attack, the Rear Wheel Drive Challenge, and the King of the Street.
Competition there will be stiff, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be room for you to show everyone what your Chevy can do.
If you’re going to do that, start off by reading the TI’s rules, terms, and conditions. Then, register and pay the necessary fees ($375.00 per driver and $45.00 per guest). Of course, unless you live in the vicinity of the TI, you’ll also need to book a hotel. (Tip: The Hilton in Rockwall, Texas is close to where this year’s action will be going down.)
After that, prepare your bowtie beast to perform at its peak at the big event. Make sure your tires don’t rub and that your lines don’t leak fluid onto them. Speed Syndicate says, “It’s up to you to wear a fire suit, install a roll cage, fire extinguisher, engine diaper, HANS device, belly pan, drive shaft loops, and so on.” Police, fire, EMS, and cleanup crews will be on-site just in case, though.
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.
