By MICHAEL NIZIOLEK
Bay City Times
BAY CITY -- When Clarence Giacoletti started taking his family to River Roar nearly 20 years ago, he didn't know he was creating a next generation powerboat racer.
Year after year Clarence's son John would watch in awe as drivers speed across the Saginaw River between the Veterans Memorial Bridge and Liberty Bridge in downtown Bay City.
The vivid sights and sounds stayed with the 12-year-old as he grew up.
"As a kid, the speed was something I had never seen before," John Giacoletti said. "I remember at the time going, wow, I need to do that."
Now, the 32-year-old will have his family, including his father, in the stands as he makes his American Powerboat Association (APBA) debut at the 26th annual River Roar this weekend.
His older brother Dean will even be his crew chief.
"I'm nervous and excited, probably a little more nervous," Giacoletti said, laughing. "Not only is this my first race, but I'm doing this on the toughest race course on the circuit. It should be fun though; most of my family will be there. I want to be safe and just try to finish."
