Although cars are primarily designed to be felt and heard and experienced, the enjoyment they offer is not only physical. Storied brands such as Lamborghini also offer something less tactile yet (almost as) satisfying: a rich history.
The Lamborghini Esperienza seems capable of indulging well-heeled fans of the manufacturer in both ways. Participants will get to spend one day at the Lamborghini Museum in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy learning about the marque’s legendary models from the past 52 years, including the timelessly sexy Miura and the extremely focused Sesto Elemento.
Attendees will also get the chance to wring out Lambo’s baby bull, the Huracan LP610-4, under the guidance of world-class professional instructors. It’s hard to imagine that one of these days those same coaches will be directing students on which line on a track to take and how to nail an apex in an SUV, the Urus.
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.
