TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. The first Miss Free State 500 will be held December 2009 to 31 January 2010.  The final of the pageant will be broadcast on Supersport and ESPN and will reach an international audience across the world.

2. The contestant must:
2.1 not be less than 18 years old on the date of entry and not more than 25 years old on 25 December 2009;
2.2 not be married nor have either been married nor be pregnant nor have children,
2.3 be of a good character and must not have committed a criminal offence anywhere in the world (There must be nothing in the contestant’s background that could bring any aspect of the pageant, organisers and/or its sponsors into disrepute)
2.4 not be an employee or a relative of any existing member of the organisers or panel of judges
2.5 be fit, proper and healthy

3. The contestant must attach / scan attested documents along with the entry form as proof of her date and country of birth. The organisers cannot guarantee the return of any materials sent to them as part of the entry. 

4.The entry form must be completed with the names and details as appear on the contestant’s birth certificate and not assumed or professional names. 

5.The entry form should be accompanied by a parental/guardian consent form of the contestant as proof that the contestant is considered   a minor in her country of birth at the time of entry.

6. Entry forms which are incomplete, or without relevant documents will not be considered. The organisers reserve the right to reject any entry form in their sole discretion without assigning any reason for the rejection. Entry fee will be forfeited.

7. The entry fee R150.00 (ZAR) for the contestant must be paid with the entry and proof of payment must accompany the entry form.

8.Having signed the entry form and qualified for the pageant, the contestant is reminded that she signed a contract and that to break it is a serious matter.

9. No person who has taken part at any time in the final of any international beauty pageant or has qualified for the final of any international beauty pageant the same year is eligible to enter the competition.  Special permission may however be given by the organisers in extenuating circumstances.

10.Board and lodging and travel will be provided to the contestant for the relevant days.  The contestant may be required to arrive in at any regional venue in South Africa and WELKOM, South Africa 3 (THREE) days   prior to the pageant dates with the final of pageant to take place on 29 JANUARY 2010. The organisers will thus provide board and lodging to all contestants for the relevant nights with the final pageant to be hosted on the day and night of 29 January 2010.

11. All selected contestants for the pageant will be staying together for a minimum of 5 (FIVE) nights prior to the final pageant under the supervision of chaperones at a selected venue for the final rehearsals and photo sessions etc.  Relatives will not be allowed to stay with contestant.

12.During her stay in Welkom, South Africa the contestant will attend all events and/or photo shoots as organised and instructed by the organisers.    The contestant will also not attend any other social or private event without the prior written consent of the organisers.

13. By entering the selection process and ultimately the pageant,  a contestant irrevocable thereby grants the organisers and/or the sponsors of the pageant the free and unfretted right to use her name,  photographs, voice,  likeness,  recommendations etc.,  relating to the pageant,  its title or any such connection between the contestant and the pageant or title in any way the organisers and/or sponsors deem fit for advertising or sales promotions purposes,  providing such use is not in a manner to cause harm to the contestant’s reputation or name.  Such agreement will continue in a similar manner for further material issued resulting in participation in the pageant or during the year of office if she wins the title. 

14. The contestants agree further that from date of entry until 14 (fourteen) days after the final pageant, or for a period of 6 (six) months after her reign as title holder ends, she will not, without the prior written consent of the organisers, make any statement to the media, either directly or indirectly, nor give any interviews nor write any stories whatsoever pertaining to the competition or involving its name. 

15. The Free State 500 is a ASA Racing South Africa brand and no person, nor organisation, may use the titles without the permission of the organisers.

16.The organisers reserve the right to change the rules, regulations, venue, and dates etc. for the final pageant without any notice.

17. The organisers reserve the right to appoint the panel of judges.  The decision of the judges will be final, binding and non-challengeable by the contestant. The organisers bear no responsibility for the decision of the judges.

18. Any Contestant who does not abide by the instructions, terms and conditions of entry, rules and regulations of the pageant is liable to be disqualified at any time by the organisers and/or judges without any notice.  If the contestant is disqualified, she will forfeit her entry fee and all other benefits she received as a result of her participation in the pageant. She will also be liable to the organisers for any damages suffered.

19. The organisers in their sole discretion reserves the right to withhold or revoke the title from the winner who is disqualified to fulfil the rules and regulations of the pageant and if at any later stage it become known to the organisers that the conduct of the winner or her      character is not worth keeping the award.

20. The contestant by entering the pageant indemnifies and keep indemnified the organisers and/or sponsors against all loss, damage, costs and expenses which the contestant may sustain or incur as a result of her entry and the contestant will at all times hold harmless and keep indemnified the organisers and/or sponsors against all actions, claims, demands, costs and expenses arising out of her participation in the pageant. It is emphasised that the organisers cannot in any way be held responsible and liable in any circumstances for the loss of any contestant’s personal effects or injury.  The contestant is responsible for her own effects and well-being at all times.

21. In the event of any dispute over the rules of the pageant, the decision of the organisers is final. 

22. The contestant submit to the jurisdiction of the South African Courts and agree that the provisions of the South African Law will apply to the interpretation and enforcement of the rules and regulations of the pageant, the terms and conditions of entry as well as any subsequent agreement entered into between the organisers and the contestant.

23. The organisers will not be in breach of any of their obligations in as far as any of their obligations are not or cannot be fulfilled by reason of any via major or the acts or omissions of others over whom the organisers have no direct authority or control.

24.  If the pageant,  for any reason whatsoever does not proceed and the reason therefore is contributed to the conduct of the organisers,  50% of the entry fee will be refunded to the contestant and the balance will be retained as an administration fee.  If the contestant however withdraws, fails and/or refuses to participate in the pageant, for any reason whatsoever, the contestant will forfeit the entry fee.

25. The winner of the pageant will enter into a specified period Sole Agency and/or Management contract with the organisers.  The winner will be required to make South Africa her place of residence during that year she holds office and will be subjected to the instructions of the organisers and/or their affiliates and/or sponsors.