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.

This 2011 Cadillac CTS-V is the World’s Fanciest Drag Racer

Boy, Cadillac has come a long way in the past 10+ years. It used to be known as the official car company of old people. The V series of performance cars has done a lot to change the company’s image and build its high-speed credentials. Models such as the CTS-V are now compared to uber-powerful […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | June 18, 2014

Cadivette’s Twin-Turbo Cadillac CTS-V

It’s one thing to modify your car’s engine to make more horsepower. It’s another to do it all over again after that motor floats a valve and craps out. “LS1Tech member cadivette is a patient man” is an understatement. The first power plant he twin-turboed in his 2005 Cadillac CTS-V went the way of […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | June 16, 2014

Hybrid Tech: ’99 Chevrolet Camaro Gets Corvette ZR-1 Power

All of the fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaros were sold long ago – with the exception of (at least) one. General Motors keeps it at home. However, this 1999 Z/28 has to pay a price for the privilege of not being driven by a potentially abusive commuter: being a lab rat for ambitious and power-hungry engineers. Its […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | June 13, 2014

Sweet WS6: Brandon’s 1997 Trans-Am

If you talk to enough gear heads, you’ll realize a lot of them get their dream cars several years after they go out of production. Whether it’s because of a lack of funds or the need for kid-carrying space, many automotive enthusiasts have to delay their satisfaction. A gentleman named Brandon is not one of […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | June 6, 2014

LS1Tech Reviews: The 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport Premium

At my house, Christmas comes once a week. I receive media test vehicle presents on Wednesdays and discover what they contain over the course of a week. Recently, Cadillac delivered a gift wrapped in Red Obsession Tintcoat: the 2014 CTS Vsport Premium. I found myself saying many of the things we’ve all said when opening […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | June 6, 2014

LS1Tech Reviews: The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country 4WD

My best friend Jacob is fond of using the term “boss status.” If you possess it, you feel cool – as if you run things, no matter where you are. I certainly had it during the week in which I drove the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country 4WD. For most of it, anyway. Attaining such […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | May 19, 2014

C6 Corvette Included in Latest GM Recall

If you own a C6 Corvette, you can definitely light up the rear tires, but there’s a chance you won’t be able to light up the road in front of you. The crossed-flags cruiser is just one of the models covered by the five recalls recently issued by General Motors. Out of the roughly 2.7 […] More »

By: Derek Shiekhi | May 15, 2014