Assuming the minimum radius of the loop bend is a furlong a rough calculation, assuming you lose distance for 5/8ths of a circle and the radius is about a furlong, means the rail would have to be moved in something in the region of 20 yards to reduce the distances by 70 yards. I sometimes wander past that end of the course when going for a lunchtime walk. From experience of looking at the course from the outside of the loop I’d say it’s no more than 25 yards wide, and the overhead photo pretty much confirms that. Given that they have added up to 40 yards to distances this season on occasion then someone’s calculations are off beam, or they are taking a short cut across the rugby pitch!
I’ve no problem if mathematician’s prove my rough figures wrong as my use of
pi
is rusty!
Rob