1.   The plate restricts airflow into the engine, and therefore its ability to produce horsepower and, in turn, generate speed.

2.   The plate restricts the amount of air that flows between those components, reducing the amount of horsepower an engine can generate.

3.   The plate restricts the amount of air being pumped into the engine through the carb, inhibiting its ability to produce horsepower and speed when mixed with gasoline.

4.   One big hurdle for the professors is that the ceramic plate restricts motion.