By lengthening the wheelbase, the contact points subtend a greater angle on the curves of the velodrome, thus lifting the rider further from the surface, thereby shortening the path travelled by the centres of gravity and pressure. Although the wheels still roll 250m per lap, the shorter distance travelled by the main mass and drag bodies allows for a higher average speed.
There is a trade off because of the larger scrub angle of the back tyre, but it's non-trivial to calculate the optimum wheelbase for a track bike.
Not sure if...
But it is actually true!
By lengthening the wheelbase, the contact points subtend a greater angle on the curves of the velodrome, thus lifting the rider further from the surface, thereby shortening the path travelled by the centres of gravity and pressure. Although the wheels still roll 250m per lap, the shorter distance travelled by the main mass and drag bodies allows for a higher average speed.
There is a trade off because of the larger scrub angle of the back tyre, but it's non-trivial to calculate the optimum wheelbase for a track bike.