Apu wrote:On a front wheel drive? Handbrake on, yes...but did he have his foot on the middle pedal?
Judging by the front wheels edging forward and stopping with the revs dieing down I'd say he's heel and toeing the brake and loud pedel. if the hand brake was on we'd see the back wheels locked up and slidding forward followed by a burnout from the front or lack there of if the clutch was f'd! He probebly has a heavy duty clutch aswell.
I had that very same burning smell from my gear box and it turned out to be the gear shifter seal at the top of the box. I'm pretty sure the pressure of the oil in the gear box feeds oil to this part to keep it lubricated.
Easiest way to find out is take out your center consol and remove the rubber dust cover.