Derek Shiekhi

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 Mongoose” Trans Am WS6 is Out for Cobra Blood

If you had any doubt that there’s a rivalry between GM guys and Ford fans, take a look at this 2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6. Its owner calls it “The Mongoose” and a “Cobra Killer.” Helping it quench its thirst for Blue Oval blood are parts such as: -Stainless Works long tube headers -A Texas […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | July 30, 2014

Review: The 2015 Cadillac Escalade 4WD Premium – an Apartment on Wheels (Video)

“We designed [the 2015] Escalade with what we call the beauty of contrast,” Eric Clough, director of design, Cadillac Interiors, said in a press release about the fourth-generation model. The luxury utility is a rolling embodiment of that last word, inside and out – down to its core as a vehicle. However, in my seven […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | July 28, 2014

Review: The $80,000+ 2014 Cadillac ELR (Video)

Three little letters. They’re big business for Cadillac, which uses them to name almost all of its models, including the ATS, SRX and CTS. (The Escalade is too large a cash cow to fit within those alphabetical confines.) After a week with the 2014 ELR, I began to associate it with another trio of characters: […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | July 22, 2014

Eagle One Presents: It’s All in the Detailing

Unfortunately, driving your pride and joy through the country on a cruise with your friends can end up leaving it covered with dirt and insect guts, which are capable of eating through your vehicle’s paint. Eagle One’s got something you can use when you bring your ride home: Beetle Juice Bug Remover. It “breaks the […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | July 21, 2014

Raybestos Presents: Drift Away with Pipsqueak the Goat (Video)

Forum member chixwithtrix is one persistent lady. Although she bought her 2004 Pontiac GTO with plenty of mods already installed, such as a four-point cage, long-tube headers and racing seats, she set about making her drift machine even better. Since November 2013, she’s fixed its misfire problem, swapped out its driveshaft for a four-inch aluminum […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | July 18, 2014

GM + Porsche = A V8 944

Do the math and add it up. This beast ROCKS! Enough said, but the seller wants $30,000. Is it too much for a 340 horsepower 1984 Porsche 944 or is it worth it? “This car has been completely restored, only test driven,” the owner claims. What do you think about this swap? Tell us about […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | July 17, 2014

Review: The 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD 4WD (Video)

Classrooms don’t need chalkboards and desks in order to be learning environments. I recently spent time in one that had leather seats, a Bose audio system…and rolled on 20-inch forged polished aluminum wheels. While blasting down a toll road to discover the tastes of Lockhart, Texas barbecue, I had an epiphany. The 2015 GMC Sierra […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | July 15, 2014