ANDY PRIAULX is branching out into a second series in 2010.

Mario Theissen, BMW’s motorsport director, on Saturday night announced additional tasks for Priaulx next year which will see him compete in both the FIA World Touring Car Championship and also selected endurance GT sports car races, specifically the American Le Mans Series.

The triple world champion will again be driving a BMW 320si in WTCC, but for the first time in this series he will have a team-mate.

Priaulx’s regular team, Belgium-based team RBM, run by Bart Mampaey, will be in charge of the two car operation for the Guernsey driver and Brazil’s Augusto Farfus.

‘This will be another busy year for me but to do both touring cars and sports cars for BMW is a great prospect,’ said the Guernseyman.

‘You need very different skills, and I shall relish the challenges. In my opinion the WTCC is the ultimate competition.