Article: Before you pull up to the starting line and jam on the gas, you'll have to find out where you'll race in the field by qualifying for your starting position. Depending on the track rules and the vehicle class, you'll be held to different standards, but you'll start most elimination rounds by qualifying for your starting place with the best possible run you're capable of. Several measurements are taken for each race, including your reaction time, the total elapsed time of the run, and your speed. Your reaction time will be measured right at the start of the race, and should be as short as possible, tracking the time between the green light and your vehicle leaving the starting line. Your elapsed time will be measured from the moment you've left the starting line to the moment you cross the finish line. Your top speed will be measured just as you pass the finish line, making it important that you power across it for the best result. There should be ample room to slow down. In the staging area behind the track, you should pass through what is called the water box or the bleach box at most tracks, which is basically just a patch of the track that has been hosed down. This is where racers with track tires will do a burnout to heat up the tires and "burn off" any sediment or other gunk that's been built up. If you don't want to burn out before racing, that's fine. Just drive around the water box and approach the starting line instead. Flat racing tires always need to be warmed up, but street tires with tread should generally not be. If you're worried about street build-up on street tires, you can do a peel out to clean them up, if you want. On professional tracks, the starting line is somewhat complicated, because it's not usually marked on the ground and is monitored with lasers. Let the track officials guide you toward the general area, and then look to the "Christmas tree" (the stalk of colored lights in the center of the track) to find out when you're on the money. At most tracks, a yellow light will engage when you're close (within 7 inches) of the starting line, and a second light will engage when you're on it. Watch the track official between the two lanes for more specific instructions. They're there to help. Most trees usually about about seven lights, including the indicator lights when you're on the starting line. Depending on your class and the kind of race you're running, the tree will light differently to signal that start of the race. In some races, three large amber lights will flash simultaneously, followed by the green light in four-tenths of a second. In other races, the three bulbs will flash twice, followed five-tenths of a second later by the green light. Make sure you watch other racers start and find out what kind of light start will be used before you end up on the starting line. In general, if you see the green light, you probably started too late. It takes some practice and skill to get a good start down, because it's very much about anticipating the green and leaving with it, rather than waiting until you see it. Experienced drivers are often very good at this, so don't get frustrated if it takes you several time trials and runs before you get the hang of it. Before you start, maintain your RPMs at the optimum speed to jump into your desired gear (lots of dragsters will pop in second, for example). Keep track of the timing changes in the lights, anticipate the green, and hit the gas. Drag racing isn't the time for taking it easy, it's the time for seeing what your machine is made of. If you've passed the safety inspection and know your vehicle inside and out, you should know what it's capable of and use this opportunity to open up the throttle and go all-out. Floor it, shifting up as you power through the track, and accelerating into the finish. While you're tearing down the strip, be very careful to stay in your lane. Don't look at the other car, if you're going head-to-head, pay attention to your own car and what you're doing. Crossing the center line, apart from being extremely dangerous, will usually earn you a disqualification. Often, at tracks, there's a particular "track rules" etiquette regarding which lane has the right of way in head-to-head runs. Often, the common courtesy, however, is that the slower car will slow down more quickly, falling in line behind the faster car. You'll both pull off in line, then, and drive to the timing booth. After running the race, you'll pass by the timing booth, where you'll receive a slip with your reaction time, your total elapsed time, and your top speed. At some tracks, this may also show large on a scoreboard-style screen, but often these are back closer to the starting line for spectators to see.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Complete your pre-race qualification runs. Warm up your tires in the water box. Approach the starting line from the staging area. Watch the Christmas Tree for the starting lights. Leave on green. Power through the finish. Follow the proper slow-down etiquette. Pick up your time slip from the timing booth.
Article: Once you've gotten their phone number, don't linger. Instead, walk away calmly and either leave the scene or hang out in a different area. Although you have their number now, don't take that as a sign to call them immediately. Wait at least 24 hours before making a move and giving them a call. Although texting offers an emotional shield, it is distancing and impersonal. For a much more personal conversation, call them. This goes for the first or the fortieth time you get a hold of them; calling is almost always preferable to texting. This is just another person, right? So don't become anxious and worried the first time you actually use their number. Keep calm and collected and it will show, making you even that much more attractive to them.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Walk away smoothly. Wait patiently. Call, don't text. Don't panic.
Article: Once a flower has faded, cut the flower where it meets the main stalk with a clean knife or scissors. Make sure to remove the green lump and thin green stem attaching the flower to the stalk. This prevents the plant from producing seeds, which requires a lot of energy that could be going into survival and growth instead. The main stalks contain food and water the plant can use, but they will likely begin to droop or turn yellow shortly after the flowers fade. They are no longer useful at this point, and should be cut back to within 2 inches (5 cm) of the bulb. Be careful not to cut the leaves or the top of the bulb. Only the flower stalks should be removed. Do not be alarmed if sap runs out of the cut. This is normal for a well-watered plant. Most people with amaryllis plants keep them indoors while they bloom in winter. If this is the case, move the plant to a windowsill with indirect sunlight to let it adjust to increased sunlight. Pick a spot that is bright and receives lots of sunlight, but not by direct exposure. You may skip this step if the plant was already exposed to indirect or full sunlight. In the northern hemisphere, north and east facing windows receive indirect sunlight. In the southern hemisphere, south and east facing windows do. Make sure to keep the plant relatively cool, too, at about room temperature. This is around or slightly warmer than 60 degrees F. Your amaryllis will likely require daily watering unless kept in a humid environment or planted outside in moist soil. Don't let the soil dry out completely, at least not for longer than a few hours. You'll want to keep the soil just slightly moist at all times. After growth begins, also fertilize the plant with a half-strength, water-soluble fertilizer every two or three weeks. Depending on your local climate, this typically begins in May or June in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, warm weather usually begins in December or January.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Remove each flower as it fades. Cut the flower stalks once they yellow or sag. Move the amaryllis to an area with bright indirect light. Water the soil whenever it begins to dry. Continue on to the summer section as soon as the weather becomes warm.