Ford Truck Enthusiasts 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 F-150 is the King of V6 Light-Duty Truck Sales

The F-150 is the King of V6 Light-Duty Truck Sales

If you were alive in 1967, you might remember LBJ being president, Elvis Presley marrying Priscilla Wagner and 6-cylinder-powered trucks selling like crazy. If you’re reading this right now, commit this to memory: This is the first time in 47 years that a pickup manufacturer has had a 6-pot engine retail sales rate as strong […] More »

By: | April 9, 2014

The 2015 F-150 is Built Ford… Convenient?

The 2015 F-150 is Built Ford… Convenient?

Ford trucks are known for being tough.  But being tough is no excuse for making things tough on the driver.  Apparently, the 2015 F-150 is being manufactured with that same thought in mind. Chief engineer for the truck, Pete Reyes, gave The Fast Lane Truck a walk-around of the vehicle while pointing out its convenience […] More »

By: | April 7, 2014

Four-Wheeling in a 6-Door F-Series

Four-Wheeling in a 6-Door F-Series

This video is so awesome, I’m still not sure if what I watched was real. If I didn’t know any better, I could’ve sworn I was observing a computer-generated Tonka truck romping around, going up and down steep river banks and through a shallow stream.

By: | April 3, 2014

F-250 Saves Half-Drowned Hummer H1

F-250 Saves Half-Drowned Hummer H1

Before today, if you would’ve told me I would see a Hummer getting stuck in the mud, I would’ve thrown my coffee in your face.  (Hope you like the taste of half and half!) But I’ve now seen it and have no choice but to believe it.  Boy, does this one get jammed.  At least, […] More »

By: | April 2, 2014

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