WHEN Cannonvale resident Russell Mafrici bought a mobile phone from Centro Whitsunday's Harvey Norman store, he had no idea that doing so would also score him a brand new car.

The Cannonvale Harvey Norman store was one of many taking part in a nationwide competition with one car to give away per state.

All customers had to do was buy an item on the finance arrangement Flexirent, to go into the random draw to win.

When a Whitsunday resident was chosen as one of only four winners from over 15,000 entries Australia-wide, Harvey Norman Cannonvale franchisee Mark Salomone said staff were "ecstatic".

"For a nationwide promotion to have a winner in little old Cannonvale - it was just great for our small community that someone locally actually won," he said.

When Mr Mafrici was told the good news his initial reaction was disbelief.

"I couldn't believe it - I actually didn't believe it until the day I picked it up," he said.

A car enthusiast, whose collection of vehicles are mostly over 20 years old, Mr Mafrici described the Mini Ray as "quite nice to handle".

Flexigroup Queensland area manager Katie Veen said this was a very happy ending to the competition.

"Typically our regional stores have always been strong supporters of Flexirent so it's nice that the car's gone to someone up here," she said.