In 2010, O'Young came across an opportunity to compete at the top level of touring cars, and drove for Bamboo Engineering in the 2010 World Touring Car Championship season, as teammate to Harry Vaulkhard. His longtime sponsors LKM and A-Ha Coffee joined O'Young on his switch to touring cars, and additional support came from Chevrolet Motorsport. He drove a 2008–spec Chevrolet Lacetti in the Independents Championship of the WTCC. In doing so, he has also become the first Chinese full-time driver in the FIA World Touring Car Championship. In race ten at Race of Portugal, Darryl scored his first win in the Independents Championship and also his first world championship point by finishing tenth overall. He arrived in Macau for the final round with a chance of winning the Independents Championship, but was hit by Tom Coronel from behind in race one, thus failing to finish and ending his championship hopes.