William Exton – Marlborough’s Growing Success

March 20, 2025

Half a century ago, the toast of Marlborough wasn’t Sauvignon Blanc but beer. The region’s lowlands were still considered better suited for growing barley until, in 1973, the visionary decision to plant wine grapes changed Marlborough’s landscape and New Zealand’s wine industry forever.

In the same year, McLaren introduced the M23 Formula One car. In its debut at the South African Grand Prix, New Zealand's Denny Hulme secured the pole position. The M23 would win two World Championships, with Emmerson Fittipaldi taking the title in 1974 and James Hunt in 1976.

Now McLaren and Marlborough have come together, with William Exton producing a vintage performance in the GT NZ Championship; the 21-year-old emulating Hulme’s pole position at Kyalami, with a win on debut in the GT4 class that led to a championship winning season for Exton with Team Giltrap Group Motorsport.

“This season in the McLaren Artura has been incredible! I’ve gained so much valuable knowledge from everyone involved. I am so grateful to have come away with the GT4 championship title!” says Exton

The lead-up to his title-winning weekend starkly contrasted his high-speed performances in the McLaren Artura GT4 race car. As a Giltrap Group McLaren Junior Scholarship Driver, he spends his weekdays working at a much calmer pace in the vineyards of te Pā Wines.

Exton's journey to motorsport success is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the support and backing of his local community. Marlborough's own te Pā and Tractor Repair Services (TRS) have been instrumental in his journey. Exton expresses his gratitude: "I’m incredibly grateful to have two amazing businesses from a small South Island town backing me. They’ve supported me from the very beginning of my car racing journey, being the first sponsors to come on board."

Small town and small beginnings. When William and his dad, Gareth, first joined Marlborough Kart Club, there were only a handful of members. Over the past ten years, numbers have increased tenfold, and the sport is growing rapidly in the region.

Pam Orchard from TRS says both Exton and his father, Gareth, have played a key role in growing the sport in Marlborough, “When William is not working in the family vineyard, he is giving back to the karting community by supporting and empowering the next generation of kart drivers. In William’s karting days, he achieved numerous NZ titles and now voluntarily spends numerous spare weekends at the kart track, offering his skills and driving education. William is a proud Marlborough lad and, over the years, has developed the TRS commitment to integrity, innovation, education, and giving to the community. We are proud to be associated with William Exton Motorsport”.

His impressive season as the Giltrap Group Junior Scholarship Driver has already netted Exton a place with the TekworkX Motorsport team to compete in Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia. Before that, he is looking to wrap up his GTNZ season in winning style at Hampton Downs this weekend.