[Robin Craig]

So to back up the story this all started a few years ago during our weekly vehicle run up program.

First of all, the fluid flywheel seal was old, beyond best condition for sure, weeping slightly and slowly for a long time we suspect. Checking the level and topping up would have kept it going.

Storage includes having the gearbox in a gear to relieve bus bar spring pressure. Failure to confirm if the gearbox was in neutral was the next problem.

Starting the vehicle from outside, as you can, with the wheels blocked is a short cut that some do. This happened this time I believe but can not prove.

So, to clarify, low fluid level, vehicle in gear, started and then the idle speed raised to bout 800 rpm and let to run unattended for a period of minutes.

The resultant phone call I received was "the Ferret is on fire". A brief exchange followed and the vehicle was shut down and I got on scene. Oil was very visible on the floor under the vehicle and inside the hull. I was fairly sure what had happened.

Let this be a lesson.