The bizarre question strangers ask AFLW star Tayla Harris every time she stops at a servo

She's one of the AFLW's biggest names, but that's not why strangers approach Tayla Harris every time she pulls into a servo to fill up her car.

"One of my favourite things is when someone comes over and says, 'Great car, is it your dad's? Is it your boyfriend's? Have you borrowed it?'" Harris told nine.com.au.

"And I'm like, 'No, it's mine.'"

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Harris is the proud owner of a 1975 Ford XB Falcon, a classic car the likes of which countless Australians will only ever dream of owning, let alone driving.

And the best part is seeing how people react when they realise it's hers.

Because even in 2026, very few people expect a blonde 28-year-old woman to own and adore a classic car nearly twice her age.

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"I love that moment, because it's kind of like people are taken back at the idea that I could have this passion, let alone pursue it in such a way," Harris said.

Her love isn't limited to classic cars either.

A self-confessed lover of "going fast", Harris has been obsessed with anything with an engine since she was just a kid growing up in Brisbane's northern suburbs.

It's only natural she grew up to be a big fan of Formula 1 – and she's not the only one.

Female consumption of motorsports has surged in recent years, bolstered by the Netflix series Drive to Survive, social media, and better representation in the sport.

More than 40 per cent of F1 fans are now female, according to the F1 2025 Global Fan Report.

Last year, Joanne Ciconte and Aiva Anagnostiadis represented Australia in the all-female F1 Academy series, bringing in a flood of Aussie fans.

Women and girls still only represent about 10 per cent of participation in all levels of motorsports, according to More Than Equal, and women made up less than 30 per cent of F1 staff in 2018.

But progress is being made and Harris said it's worth celebrating.

"There's some incredibly passionate and knowledgeable women in the space," she said.

"And the opportunity to have a voice in this industry is better for the industry overall."

Harris knows how important these small steps can be in a male-dominated sport.

"Girls are now showing interest in the industry at a younger age, which means that there's going to be an influx of women contributing to motorsport in a big way," she said.

Her passion for the sport is obvious and it will be on full display on Wednesday night when she makes her Glamour on the Grid debut ahead of the F1 Australian Grand Prix.

But she won't be arriving in one of 2026's popular 'naked' dresses.

Instead the Melbourne Demons forward will be decked out in a bespoke suit created by Melbourne designer REIGNER and Hot Wheels.

Yes, Hot Wheels.

The black and yellow suit is bedazzled and emblazoned with toy car company's iconic flames, so there's no chance anyone will miss Harris when she hits the grid.

"It's a perfect fit for me because I love motorsport, I love cars, I love Hot Wheels," Harris laughed.

Harris admitted she's a tad nervous to have all those eyes on her in the pit lane but that's part of the fun.

"When I'm on the football field and in my footy uniform I feel comfortable because that's what I do," she said.

"As opposed to a red carpet, or being on the grid ... that's a bit out of my comfort zone, but things like this are always good fun if you don't overthink it too much."

Speaking of getting out of her comfort zone, Harris is also putting extra energy into her side hustle this year.

Many professional female athletes do extra jobs on the side, especially during the off-season.

Some coach, some do content creation, but Harris picked up something very different to her usual gigs as a footy player and boxer.

She's a wedding celebrant.

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The 28-year-old got her celebrancy qualification about six years ago as a way to improve her public speaking.

"I thought it would be a good way to practice executing public speaking without the pressure of it being about me personally," Harris said.

"It's random, for sure, but it's so much fun to be part of people's best day."

Wedding guests do recognise her standing at the end of the aisle from time to time, but that's just a bonus for the AFL-loving couples that hire her.

Most of the weddings she officiates err on the side of the non-traditional anyway.

"No one's going to be hiring a celebrant who's 28 with tattoos on her hands if they want a traditional wedding," Harris laughed.

"But if they're Melbourne Demons fans and that makes them happy, then I'm happy to go with it."

And if future couples request she wear her REIGNER x Hot Wheels suit to officiate their wedding? Well, Harris will be all too happy to oblige.

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